¶ Introduction
This OPMAN (OPeration MANual) presents all the air procedures and rules applicable in the airspace of Abidjan (DIII).
In addition, the airport of Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (DIAP) is detailed (IFR and VFR procedures).
This document is the responsibility of the HQ ATC department. For any questions/comments, you can contact them via the following e-mail address : a-srdep@ivao.aero
Link to the national eAIP : https://aim.asecna.aero/html/index-fr-FR.html
"DIII" FIR is an IVAO creation, in real life Ivory Coast (DIII sector on IVAO) is a part of Dakar FIR (GOOT) !
¶ History of modifications
| Version | Modifications | VID | Validation month |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIII_01 | AIRAC : 2504 | 681461 (AOA7) | 05/2025 |
¶ Documentary organization
The OPMAN is divided into 3 mains parts:
This section will address national regulations and requirements, applicable units of measure, and services.
This section will cover ATS airspace, ATS routes, navigation aids and systems, and navigation hazards (P, R, D zones, ...).
This section will discuss aerodromes and heliports.
And three annexes :
This annex will summaries all important information needed while controlling.
This annex while present every different position in the FIR and the FRA associated, and the laterals limits of airspaces
This annex will list all the LoA – if existing – in the FIR.
¶ GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES (GEN)
¶ Visual flight rules
Except for special VFR, VFR flights must be operated in conditions of visibility and distance from cloud.
VFR flight shall not be flown :
- over cities at a height of less than 300m (1000ft),
- at a height of less than 150m (500ft) above ground or water.
VFR flights shall not take off, land, and cross any airspace if :
- the ceiling is less than 450 M (1500 ft),
- the visibility is less than 5KM.
VFR flights are not allowed :
- above FL 150,
- at transonic and supersonic speeds,
- beyond 20 NM from shoreline.
Except for operational purposes (take-off, landing), no VFR flights will be conducted below 300m (1000ft) of height from heavily populated areas ; within a radius of 600m.
Except for these areas, the overflight height must be 150m (500ft) above the ground, or ocean.
Night VFR are prohibited in ASECNA’s FIRs
¶ Instrument flight rules
An aircraft in IFR flight in the cruise phase within controlled airspace will use a cruise level. See Appendix 3 of ICAO Annex 2.
Aircraft in IFR flight, entering a control area to land, will be cleared to the specified holding point. They will receive instructions from the approach controller (time, level, next position). These instructions must be respected. Otherwise, the waiting procedure will be executed.
IFR departures from an uncontrolled aerodrome must contact the Area Control Center.
An IFR flight plan must be sent and completed.
Position reports are mandatory within the Brazzaville FIR , pilots shall report position as specified in 3.6.3 of ICAO Annex 2 for controlled flight.
¶ ATS airspace classification
ATS airspaces are classified and designated as detailed in ICAO Annex 11, Chapter 2.6. No specific rules are complementary.
IVAO Documentation about this : https://wiki.ivao.aero/en/home/training/documentation/Airspace_classification
¶ Transition altitude
Here is the transition altitude for the main airport of the Brazzaville FIR.
|
Ivory Coast |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIAP | DIBK | DIKO | DIMN | DIOD | DISP | DIYO |
| 3100ft | 4200ft | 4500ft | 7000ft | 4500ft | 3100ft | 4200ft |
¶ Rules of the air
Primary radars are unable to detect the altitude and speed of an aircraft.
The information given by the AURORA software is only a complementary tool to know the exact position of the aircraft. ATC manages the flow of traffic thanks to the pilots' position report (procedural control).
There is no published Minimum (Radar) Vectoring Altitude allowing air traffic management by "radar vectors". No heading can be provided to ensure safe obstacle clearance. This for all the airfields except Abidjan (DIAP)
In the Upper Traffic Area (UTA), Terminal Control Area (TMA) & Control Zone (CTR) position reports are mandatory for IFR flights.
In the Terminal Control Area (TMA) & Control Zone (CTR) position reports are mandatory for VFR flights.
¶ Units used inside the FIR
|
For measurement of |
Unit used |
|---|---|
| Distance used in navigation, position reporting, etc - generally in excess of 2 NM | Nautical miles and tenths |
| Relatively short distances such as those relating to aerodromes (e.g., runway lengths) | Meters |
| Altitudes, elevations and heights | Feet (meters) |
| Horizontal speed including wind speed | Knots |
| Vertical speed | Feet per minute (meters per second) |
| Wind direction for landing and taking off | Degrees Magnetic |
| Wind direction except for landing and taking off | Degrees True |
| Visibility, incl. runway visual range | Kilometers or meters |
| Altimeter setting | Hectopascal |
| Temperature | Degrees Celsius |
| Weight | Meter tones or Kilograms |
| Time | Hours and minutes, beginning at midnight UTC |
¶ EN-ROUTE (ENR)
¶ ATS airspaces
¶ Horizontal sectorizations, CTR, TMA and CTA
See below the ATC frequencies and the different airspace classes.
¶ Vertical sectorizations, CTR, TMA and CTA
| Name (Languages) |
Laterals limits | Verticals limits | Areas and conditions | Callsign and Frequencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abidjan UTA (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | FL245/UNL | UTA A airspace |
Abidjan Control DIII_CTR 129.100 MHZ |
| Abidjan TMA 2 (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | FL145/FL245 | TMA A airspace |
Abidjan Approach DIAP_APP 121.100 MHZ |
| Abidjan TMA 1 (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | 3000ft ASFC/FL145 | TMA D airspace |
Abidjan Approach DIAP_APP 121.100 MHZ |
| Bouake TMA 2 (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | FL145/FL245 | TMA A airspace |
Abidjan Control DIII_CTR 129.100 MHZ |
| Bouake TMA 2 (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | 3000 ASFC /FL145 | TMA C airspace |
Abidjan Control DIII_CTR 129.100 MHZ |
| Abidjan CTR (English, French, Spain) |
See Annex 1 | GND/3000ft ASFC | CTR C airspace |
Abidjan Tower DIAP_TWR 128.100 MHZ |
| Bouake CTR (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | GND/3000ft ASFC | CTR C airspace |
Bouake Tower DIBK_TWR 118.900 MHZ |
| San Pedro CTR (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | GND/5000ft ASFC | CTR C airspace |
San Pedro Tower DISP_TWR 118.600 MHZ |
| Yamoussoukro CTR (English, French) |
See Annex 1 | GND/5000ft ASFC | CTR C airspace |
Yamoussoukro Tower DIYO_TWR 118.500 MHZ |
¶ Horizontal sectorizations, FIR and UIR
Below, the sectors adjacent to the FIR of Brazzaville.
| Name (Languages) | Callsign | Frequencies |
|---|---|---|
| Dakar FIR (English) | GOOT_CTR (Dakar Control) | 129.500 MHz |
| Niamey FIR (English) | DRRR_CTR (Niamey Control) | 131.300 MHz |
| Accra FIR (English) | DGAC_CTR (Accra Control) | 123.100 MHz |
| Dakar Oceanic FIR (English) | GOOO_CTR (Dakar Oceanic) | 128.900 MHz |
| Roberts FIR (English, French) | GLRB_CTR (Roberts Control) | 128.100 MHz |
According to the previous table, here is the representation of the FIR airspace of Abidjan.
¶ Vertical sectorizations, FIR and UIR
| Name (Languages) |
Laterals limits | Verticals limits | Areas and conditions | Callsign and Frequencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abidjan FIR (English) |
See Annex 2 | GND/FL660 | FIR G airspace* |
Brazzaville control FCCC_CTR 128.900 MHz |
*Outside ATS routes, UTA TMAs, and CTRs.
¶ ATS Route
¶ Lower ATS routes
This section details the routes in the lower airspace.
|
Designation of the route |
Level |
Route designation (FIX)* |
Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A400 | Odd/Even | AD ⇆ EGADU | Class A above FL245 |
| B600 | MEGOT ⇆ ONESI | ||
| G851 | GUREL ⇆ AD | ||
| G859 | AMSAT ⇆ AD |
* This column informs only the two points at the ends of the route.
¶ Upper ATS routes
This section details the routes in the upper airspace.
| Designation of the route | Level | Route designation (FIX)* | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| UA400 | Odd/Even | AD ⇆ EGADU | Class A above FL245 |
| UA614 | BIGOM ⇆ AD | ||
| UB600 | MEGOT ⇆ ONESI | ||
| UB729 | VOXIR ⇆ AD | ||
| UG851 | GUREL ⇆ AD | ||
| UG855 | TUSEK ⇆ AD | ||
| UG859 | AMSAT ⇆ AD | ||
| UR979 | ERMIT ⇆ SESIG |
* This column informs only the two points at the ends of the route.
¶ Radio navigation aids/systems en-route
| Name of station | ID | Frequency | Coordinates | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abidjan VOR/DME |
AD | 114.300 MHz Ch 90x |
05°16'58.14"N ; 003°55'01.12"W | / |
| Bouake VOR/DME |
BKY | 115.100 MHz Ch 98x |
07°44'50.24"N ; 005°04'29.79"W | / |
| San-Perdo VOR-DME |
SPO | 114.900 MHz Ch 96x |
04°45'20.01"N ; 006°39'19.52"W | / |
¶ Navigation warnings
¶ Prohibited areas
| Identification | Lower/Upper limits | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIP - 01 (PROHIBITED) | Ground | FL245 | (FETEKRO VILLAGE) Aerial shooting - jet fighters MON to FRI : 0800z - 1800z |
¶ Restricted areas
| Identification | Lower/Upper limits | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIR - 02 (RESTRICTED) |
FL100 | FL245 | Training flights of jet fighter Activity announced by BOUAKE Tower Radio contact required before entering the area |
| DIR - 03 (RESTRICTED) |
FL100 | FL245 | / |
| DIR - 04 (RESTRICTED) |
FL100 | FL245 | / |
| DIR - 5A (RESTRICTED) |
GND | 600m ASFC | MON to FRI : 0700z - 1800z SAT : 0700z - 1430z |
| DIR - 5B (RESTRICTED) |
GND | 3500m ASFC | SAT : 1430z - 1800z SUN + PH : 0800z - 1800z |
¶ Danger areas
| Identification | Lower/Upper limits | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DID - 6A (DANGER) | Ground | 600m ASFC | Parachute drops Permanent daytime activity |
| DID - 6B (DANGER) | 600m ASFC | UNL | Parachute drops Activity announced by NOTAM with 48hrs notice |
¶ Specials areas
|
Identification |
Lower/Upper limits |
Remarks |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| DIAP fuel dumping area | 1850m AMSL | UNL | Center located 19 NM from the aerodrome in the QDR 153° of the reference point (ARP)Minimum |
¶ AERODROMES (AD)
¶ Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (DIAP)
¶ Airport Information
| Informations | |
|---|---|
| ICAO Code | DIAP |
| IATA Code | ABJ |
| Airport name | Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (Ivory Coast) |
| Time zone conversion | UTC + 0 |
| Coordinates of the reference point and location of the airfield | 05°15'16"N 003°55'43"W |
| Direction and distance from (city) | 7 NM South East from the Hotel de ville ABIDJAN in Port-Bouët area |
| Altitude / temperature reference | 6m (20ft) / 32.2 ° C |
| Magnetic declination | 4°W / 8.5’E |
| Permitted traffic types | IFR / VFR |
| Runway | 03 / 21 |
¶ Characteristic of the runway
The runway 05 - 23 has the following features :
| Description of the runway | Runway 03 | Runway 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions of runway (m) | 3000 x 45 | 3000 x 45 |
| True and Mag Brg | 023° True / 027° Mag | 203° True / 207° Mag |
| Strength (PCN) and surface of runway | 56/F/B/W/T - Asphalt | 56/F/B/W/T - Asphalt |
| Threshold coordinates | 05°14'55.39"N 003°55'51.75"W |
05°16'25.66"N 003°55'14.52"W |
| Threshold elevation | Threshold 6.5m (23.1ft) | Threshold 6m (19.7ft) |
| TORA (m) | 3000 | 3000 |
| TODA (m) | 3250 | 3000 |
| ASDA (m) | 3100 | 3060 |
| LDA (m) | 3000 | 3000 |
¶ ATS Communication facilities
| Designation service | Callsign | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Center | Abidjan Control (DIII_CTR) |
129.100 MHZ |
| Approach | Abidjan Approach (DIAP_APP) |
121.100 MHZ |
| Tower | Abidjan Tower (DIAP_TWR) |
118.100 MHZ |
¶ Radio navigation and landing aids
| Type of aid | ID | Frequency | Informations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abidjan VOR/DME |
AD | 110.300 MHz Ch 78x |
05°16'58.14"N 003°55'01.12"W |
| Abidjan NDB |
PB | 294.2 kHz | 05°15'01.50"N 003°57'28.90"W |
| ILS/LOC 21 CAT. II (ILS/DME) | AN | 117.700 MHZ | 05°14'45.78"N 003°55'55.70"W |
¶ Local airport regulation
¶ Automatic Terminal Information Service
The ATIS must be completed in English.
At the beginning of the session, please fill out the ATIS correctly. The transition altitude (TA) is 3100ft. The transition level (TL) is to be determined according to the QNH. The first usable level is FL50.
The preferential runway is the 21, an ILS procedure is available on runway 21. Any special information can be marked in the "remarks" box
¶ Traffic areas
The tower will assign a gate number to arriving aircraft. General aviation aircraft will be required to use their designated apron area.
¶ Aircraft gate management
Located in front of the terminal the commercial aviation parking lot has 43 parking spaces for the different categories (see below).
| Stand | Airlines | Aircraft types |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 11 1A ; 2A ; 4A - 8A 1B ; 2B ; 4B - 8B G1 - G12 G10A ; G10B H1 - H4 |
N/A | N/A |
¶ Squawk code
For better traffic management in the Brazzaville airspace, here are the squawk codes to assign to traffic according to their destination.
Position report are mandatory for IFR and VFR within the Dakar FIR, pilots shall report their position as specified in 3.6.3 of ICAO Annex 2 for controlled flight.
| Flight | Code |
|---|---|
| VFR | 0000 - 0000 |
| IFR - Domestic | 6400 - 6477 |
| IFR - International | 1200 - 1257 |
¶ Characteristics of the taxiways
Please find bellow the different taxiway :
| Taxiways description | Taxiway width (m) |
|---|---|
| A | 25 |
| B | 30 |
| C | 15 |
| D1 | 23 |
| D2 | 23 |
| D3 | 23 |
| D4 | 23 |
| F | 15 |
| M | 23 |
| P | 23 |
¶ CTR description
Abidjan airport has a class C CTR, starting from the surface, and going up to 3000ft ASFC. Aerodrome traffic circuit is published.
¶ VFR entries, exits, transits in CTR
CTR entries, exits and transit are normally made after coordination with the approach controller. VFR transits will pass vertically from the airport at least 500ft above the presume/published aerodrome traffic patterns altitude.
¶ TMA area description
The control sector of Abidjanrepresents one TMA. The responsible ATC station is the Abidjan approach.
¶ Prohibited areas (TMA area)
No prohibited area.
¶ Restricted areas (TMA area)
| Identification | Lower/Upper limits | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIR - 5A (RESTRICTED) |
GND | 600m ASFC | MON to FRI : 0700z - 1800z SAT : 0700z - 1430z |
| DIR - 5B (RESTRICTED) |
GND | 3500m ASFC | SAT : 1430z - 1800z SUN + PH : 0800z - 1800z |
¶ Danger areas (TMA area)
| Identification | Lower/Upper limits | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DID - 6A (DANGER) | Ground | 600m ASFC | Parachute drops Permanent daytime activity |
| DID - 6B (DANGER) | 600m ASFC | UNL | Parachute drops Activity announced by NOTAM with 48hrs notice |
¶ Specials areas (TMA area)
|
Identification |
Lower/Upper limits |
Remarks |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| DIAP fuel dumping area | 1850m AMSL | UNL | Center located 19 NM from the aerodrome in the QDR 153° of the reference point (ARP)Minimum |
¶ Standard instrument departure (SID)
No SID on Abidjan. Omnidirectional departrure is used.
¶ Standard instrument terminal arrival (STAR)
| Runway | Type of STAR | STAR Name | IAF | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | RNAV | VADAK 2G | GALIS | IAS max : 220kts on IAF |
| KONET 2G | ||||
| ODSAB 2G | ||||
| LITED 2G | ||||
| MOTUS 2G | ||||
| MOKAR 2G | ||||
| NIVAR 2G | ||||
| IKTOS 2G | ||||
| NATNA 2G | ||||
| ONELA 2G | ||||
| GANOT 2T | TUTEL | |||
| PISRO 2T | ||||
| PITNO 2R | RAKOL | |||
| TAVAL 2R | ||||
| UDRAS 2R |
| Runway | Type of STAR | STAR Name | IAF | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | CONV | PEDRO 1N/2V | NUDEL AD KERUR |
IAS max : 220kts on IAF |
| POMET 1N/2V | ||||
| ONPAL 1N/3V | ||||
| PIVKI 1N/3V | ||||
| YAMOU 1N/2V | ||||
| DEGAS 1N/2V | ||||
| USLEN 3V | ||||
| ZANOU 2V | ||||
| TUSEK 2V | ||||
| ONESI 1K/3V | ||||
| SESIG 1K/2V | ||||
| EGADU 1K/2V | ||||
| INAKA 1K/2V | ||||
| SEMAX 2V |
| Runway | Type of STAR | STAR Name | IAF | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | RNAV | MOTUS 2A | AKLOS | IAS max : 220kts on IAF |
| MOKAR 2A | ||||
| NIVAR 2A | ||||
| IKTOS 2A | ||||
| NATNA 2A | ||||
| ONELA 2A | ||||
| GANOT 2A | ||||
| VADAK 2D | DIPRI | |||
| KONET 2D | ||||
| ODSAB 2D | ||||
| LITED 2D | ||||
| TAVAL 2D | ||||
| UDRAS 2D | ||||
| PISRO 2B | BINOK | |||
| PITNO 2B | ||||
| SENOT 2B |
| Runway | Type of STAR | STAR Name | IAF | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | CONV | PEDRO 1L/2V | LUMKI DIPRI POPUV AD |
IAS max : 220kts on IAF |
| POMET 1L/2V | ||||
| ONPAL 1L/3V | ||||
| PIVKI 1L/3V | ||||
| YAMOU 1L/2V | ||||
| DEGAS 1L/2V | ||||
| USLEN 4D/2V | ||||
| ZANOU 3D/2V | ||||
| TUSEK 3D/2V | ||||
| ONESI 1P/1V | ||||
| SESIG 1P/2V | ||||
| EGADU 1P/2V | ||||
| INAKA 1P/2V | ||||
| SEMAX 2V |
¶ Initial Approach (INA)
No INA procedures exists on Abidjan, it's include in the APP procedures
¶ Final Approach (FNA)
| Runway | Approach | IAF | Interception alt. | Beacon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | RNAV | GALIS / TUTEL / RAKOL | 2200 | / |
| VOR Y | AD | 2200 | AD 114.3 MHz |
|
| VOR Z | NUDEL / TUTEL / KERUR | 2200 | AD 113.17 MHz |
| Runway | Approach | IAF | Interception alt. | Beacon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | ILS X | AKLOS / DIPRI / BINOK | 2200 | AN 110.3 |
| ILS Y | AD | 2200 | AN 110.3 | |
| ILS Z | LUMKI / DIPRI / POPUV | 2200 | AN 110.3 | |
| RNP | AKLOS / DIPRI / BINOK | 2200 | / | |
| VOR Y | AD | 2200 | AD 114.3 MHz |
|
| VOR Z | LUMKI / DIPRI / POPUV | 2200 | AD 114.3 MHz |