Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Tripoli Flight Information Region (FIR) (HLLL)
This action amends, with modifications to reflect changed conditions in Libya and the associated risks to U.S. civil aviation safety, the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flight operations in the Tripoli Flight Information Region (FIR) (HLLL) by all: United States (U.S.) air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.- registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.- registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. This action incorporates the FAA's prohibition on U.S. civil flight operations in the territory and airspace of Libya at all altitudes contained in Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) KICZ A0026/19, into the SFAR. In addition, the FAA remains concerned about the safety of U.S. civil aviation operations at altitudes below Flight Level (FL) 300 in those portions of the Tripoli FIR (HLLL) that are outside the territory and airspace of Libya because of the hazards described in the preamble to the FAA's March 2019 final rule. Accordingly, this final rule also prohibits U.S. civil flight operations below FL300 in those portions of the Tripoli FIR (HLLL) outside the territory and airspace of Libya. This action also extends the expiration date of the SFAR from March 20, 2021, to March 20, 2023. Finally, the FAA republishes the approval process and exemption information for this SFAR, consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs, and makes minor administrative revisions.