05APR: Breathalyzer tests at German ramp checks, Himalayan routings, Europe fixes its big slot computer

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EZZZ/Europe Normal operation has resumed after a day of disruption on Apr 3, due to a fault with the system that allocates ATC slots to flights, and therefore manages the flow of traffic across Europe. The system is now back online and working properly again.

LFZZ/France The ATC strike in the LFMM/Marseille ACC is still currently planned to go ahead – from 04z on Apr 7 to 04z on April 9. As usual, it won’t be known until the day how many controllers go on strike, but expect disruption.

LIZZ/Italy More strikes planned by ground staff at airports across the country on Apr 13. The airports expected to be worst affected are: LIMC/Milan-Linate, LIML/Pisa, and LIRQ/Florence.

UMKK/Kaliningrad Russian military exercises planned over parts of the Baltic Sea from Apr 3-7, with airspace warnings issued for 6-18z each day, SFC-FL590. Main area affected will be the UMKK/Kaliningrad FIR, where half the airways will be closed. Small bits of airspace in neighbouring FIR’s will also be affected, and Notams have been issued by EVRR/Riga, EPWW/Warsaw and ESAA/Sweden FIR’s to show where the danger areas are.

KSDM/San Diego CBP have reached an agreement with the city, so no longer plan to close Customs at the airport. GA operators can therefore continue to use SDM as a port of entry.

KIMT/Ford The airport will be completely closed for runway repairs, from Apr 30 to May 14.

EGPH/Edinburgh Due to ongoing construction work to expand the terminal, no GA overnight parking allowed until Jul 3. The Signature FBO has three stands available for quick turnarounds during the day, but landing slots will be limited if those stands are occupied.

WSSS/Singapore From Apr 23, 2018, departure clearance via datalink will become possible on certain airways: A457, B466, B469, M751, B470. Full details here.

VCBI/Colombo The strike by airport employees has been called off late on Apr 3, avoiding an indefinite strike.

VHZZ/Hong Kong In 2017, airspace safety incidents in Hong Kong airspace rose to a six-year high, following the introduction of a controversial new air traffic management system in late 2016. In 2017, there were 17 ‘loss of separation’ incidents – up from 10 in 2016 when the old system was still in use.

TTZZ/Trinidad and Tobago CPDLC outage has been extended until the end of June. All voice comms must be made via New York Radio. Aircraft are requested to log on to TTZP for ADS-C position reporting. Also, include the AFTN address KNYCZZZX when filing your flight plans.

EGZZ/UK London Terminal ATC will be switching from paper strips to manual strips (called EXCDS) from Apr 4. 20% reduction in traffic for the first 10 days, then 10% for the next 10. Some delays expected. More info at: https://www.nats.aero/excds/

YZZZ/Australia Tropical Storm Iris is siting off Queensland, forecasters uncertain as to tracking but warnings issued for Whitsunday Islands area. Max winds 40G55kts at 1800Z on Apr 5.

NFZZ/Fiji Heavy flooding on Apr 1, after Tropical Cyclone Josie passed by to the southeast of the island. The northern towns of Nadi and Ba are worst affected, where the floods killed four people. Many roads remain closed, although water levels have receded. Both NFFN/Nadi and NFNA/Nausori remain open and operational.

LFZZ/France More Air France strikes planned on Apr 7, 10 and 11. Impact likely to be similar to the ones held in March, which saw around 30% of Air France flights cancelled, with the Paris airports particularly affected.

HEZZ/Egypt The FAA has extended its airspace warning for the Sinai Peninsula by another year, due to continuing concern for flight safety. The updated Notam says US carriers should avoid overflying the Sinai Peninsula below FL260, and if planning to do so must provide 3 days notice to the FAA. More at: http://safeairspace.net/information/egypt/

VABB/Mumbai Expect disruption on Apr 9 & 10, when the airport will be closed each day from 0530-1130z (1100-1700 local time) for scheduled runway maintenance ahead of the monsoon season, which spans from May to September.

ESZZ/Sweden Sweden introduced a new passenger tax on Apr 1, for commercial flights departing Swedish airports on aircraft with more than 10 seats. For flights to European countries, the tax rate will be 60 SEK per passenger ($7.50), and for pretty much all other destinations it will be 250 SEK per passenger ($31.50). Foreign airlines and charter operators flying to Sweden must now apply for a Swedish company registration number, and register for aviation tax as soon as possible.

HLMS/Misurata On Apr 1, the airport briefly suspended operations and redirected flights to HLLM/Mitiga, when an armed group entered the airport, demanding the release of two members of a local militia.

OTZZ/Qatar The UAE has filed another formal complaint with ICAO, claiming that on Mar 26, Qatari fighter jets once again flew dangerously close to an Emirates scheduled passenger aircraft over Bahrain. Qatar deny the claim, calling it an attempt to cover-up previous violations by UAE military aircraft of Qatari airspace.

LDZA/Zagreb The airport’s only runway will be closed to all traffic, including emergency diverts, each night from Apr 4 to May 31. The closure times will be 2035-0435z, except on Mon & Fri when it will be 2200-0435z.

LDRI/Rijeka The airport will move to H24 ops starting Apr 4, to compensate for the nightly closure of LDZA/Zagreb.

EGFF/Cardiff The airport is closed nightly Apr 5-7 from 2200-0500z, but you can get PPR either side of that closure, between 2200-2320z and 0400-0500z.

05APR: Breathalyzer tests at German ramp checks, Himalayan routings, Europe fixes its big slot computer