02Nov: Iraq ATC strike, Polar alternates, Manila restrictions, Iridium problem

Weekly International Ops Bulletin published by FSB for OPSGROUP covering critical changes to Airports, Airspace, ATC, Weather, Safety, Threats, Procedures, Visas. Subscribe to the short free version here, or join thousands of your Pilot/Dispatcher/ATC/CAA/Flight Ops colleagues in OPSGROUP for the full weekly bulletin, airspace warnings, Ops guides, tools, maps, group discussion, Ask-us-Anything, and a ton more! Curious? See what you get. Rated 5 stars by 125 reviews.

ORZZ/Iraq Local ATC controllers tell us that the strike is over – they are running what they call ‘ops normal’ for two weeks, before they will/may strike again as negotiations continue. Inside word is that a number of local controllers have been fired, and Serco were providing most of the staff to cover the centre. Baghdad FIR Control Centre and Iraqi Airports are running normally – for now.UUZZ/Russia is threatening to close its airspace to Dutch aircraft in a dispute over landing permits for a Russian airline. Russia has given the Netherlands until Saturday to resolve the issue.

VVZZ/Vietnam New Tropical Storm: Damrey, picking up strength in the South China Sea, heading west towards Vietnam. Current max 40kts, forecast 80kts by Friday evening, by which time it should be over VVTS/Nha Trang. Next in its path would be VVTS/Ho Chi Minh, and VDPP/Phnom-Penh. There’s nothing on the Notams yet, but we’re keeping a close eye for any airport closures. Either way, flooding rain, damaging winds and mudslides are expected across southern Vietnam and much of Cambodia.

KZZZ/USA The FAA has removed MEL relief for out-of-date aircraft Nav databases, now requiring that each operator has a process to update them. Updated document in #questions on slack.

RJTT/Tokyo Haneda With the US Presidential visit to Tokyo, Haneda says to allow (lots of) extra time for travel to the airport Nov 5-7. Tokyo City will also have a ton of additional security.

SPJC/Lima ATC system is being upgraded from Nov 1-6, with delay impact likely at peak times. Enroute SPIM/Lima ACC, 7 minutes in trail required from 2330-0400Z.

RPLL/Manila Airport has issued an edict banning Bizav/GA parking for the entire UTC day of Nov 11-15, except for aircraft involved with the ASEAN conference. RPLC may be a suitable alternative option.

VIDP/Delhi Runway 11/29 will be completely closed for three full days in November – from 1830Z on the 6th until 0130Z on the 10th. Maximum of 2 non-scheduled flights to land or depart every hour. Try to avoid VIDP on these dates.

SOZZ/French Guyana Controllers are on strike. The Cayenne FIR (SOOO) is not providing ATC service overnight. Airspace uncontrolled, though some routes available through the FIR as contingency plan is active, review Notams for SOOO. SOCA/Cayenne airfield is also unavailable as an alternate overnight.

MKZZ/Jamaica For the month of November, both MKJP and MKJS will have special routing procedures for arrivals and departures. It’s all related to the new ATC system they’ve been working with. Check the NOTAMs, you can expect to use what’s published.

VGZZ/Bangladesh On Oct 31, a first officer of Biman Bangladesh Airlines was arrested with three others suspected of planning a terrorist attack involving an aircraft. According to sources of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the first officer planned to fly an aircraft into residences of senior government officials or to hijack an aircraft and take it to an undisclosed location in the Middle East. Officials did not reveal how close the suspects were to carrying out an attack.

KOAK/Oakland The main runway, 12/30 has reopened after a two week pavement overlay, meaning ops normal again at OAK. Other US closures are now: Denver 08/26 until Sunday, LAX 6L/24R and JFK 22L/4R until Tuesday.

SUZZ/Uruguay is planning another ATC strike from 6-10 November, with two hour work stoppages affecting all airports in the country, no departures allowed. Check Notams.

RJZZ/Japan Tropical Storm Saola has tracked away from Japan to the north-east, and decreased in intensity. No further impact to ops. No other active systems at present.

Weekly International Ops Bulletin published by FSB for OPSGROUP covering critical changes to Airports, Airspace, ATC, Weather, Safety, Threats, Procedures, Visas. Subscribe to the short free version here, or join thousands of your Pilot/Dispatcher/ATC/CAA/Flight Ops colleagues in OPSGROUP for the full weekly bulletin, airspace warnings, Ops guides, tools, maps, group discussion, Ask-us-Anything, and a ton more! Curious? See what you get. Rated 5 stars by 125 reviews.