08FEB: PBCS is coming to Singapore, Bermuda as a NAT alternate

EGGX/Shanwick ICAO have published their own Bulletin on the upcoming PBCS requirements on the NAT. It confirms what we already knew – after Mar 29, you will need PBCS-style RNP4, CPDLC and ADS-C to fly the tracks between FL350-390. But it does have an interesting little section explaining how non-compliant aircraft might be allowed to ‘infringe’ or climb/descend through the tracks. We’ve updated our PBCS article with this info.

LFZZ/France Expect disruption to rail and air travel in Paris over the coming days due to heavy snowfall. A number of flights to LFPG/Paris Charles de Gaulle, LFPO/Paris Orly and LFPB/Paris Le Bourget international airports have been cancelled while some Eurostar services between London and Paris have also been delayed or cancelled.

RCZZ/Taiwan Two large earthquakes in the space of 24hrs from Feb 6-7 near the city of Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast has resulted in at least 7 deaths. Ops at RCYU/Hualien airport have not been affected, and the runway and airport are reported to still be fully intact.

GCZZ/Canary Islands CPDLC-ATN service is now available in the GCCC/Canarias TMA for ATC clearance.

KBZN/Yellowstone The main runway (12/30) will be closed for maintenance each day from Apr 30 to May 19, between 1230-2300 local time (1830-0500z). The next biggest runway (11/29) is barely over 3000ft long, so during this period pretty much all commercial traffic has been rescheduled to avoid the daily closures.

LIRF/Rome There’s a small localised ATC strike planned at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on Feb 10, from 9-17z. International flights should be unaffected, but expect some delays if operating there that day.

EDDM/Munich The Munich Security Conference will be happening from Feb 14-18. During these dates, you can’t use EDDM as an alternate, and GA flights will need to get special permission to land. For PPR contact +49 89 975 21132 or email specialoperations@munich-airport.de

GAZZ/Mali Algeria have now published a Notam saying aircraft exiting their airspace and entering Mali should do so only at a level between FL320-400. That’s fairly consistent with the advice issued by other countries.

WIII/Jakarta Heavy rains have caused flooding and landslides around the outskirts of the city of Jakarta, and the city itself is now vulnerable to flooding after the authorities were forced to open sluice gates on a major upstream reservoir on Feb 6.

UUZZ/Russia Delays at the Moscow airports continue, after the city was blanketed by its heaviest snowfall in 100 years. Over 40cm of snow fell between Feb 3-6, or 20 per cent more than the average for the whole month. The weather has since improved somewhat, although more snow is forecast for this weekend.

EPZZ/Poland No datalink services available in Polish airspace until Feb 28, as they’re running tests on their systems. All login attempts to EPWW will be automatically rejected.

TIST/St Thomas Between now and Feb 16, the runway will be closed overnight from 02-09z. If you need to land during those times, you’ll need to get PPR at least an hour in advance, by calling +1-340-201-2598.

ANYN/Nauru There’s still no HF radio coverage at Nauru. If you’re operating there, maintain HF contact with Brisbane until you can make VHF contact with Nauru on 118.1MHZ or 126.MHZ. For overflights in the region outside of VHF range, you can contact them on satphone: either +61-147-148478 or +61-147-163879.

VRZZ/Maldives On Feb 5, the Maldives government declared a state of emergency, in the midst of a political crisis that has seen security forces deployed in the capital Malé. However, so far there are no reports that any of the outlying islands, resorts or VRMM/Malé International Airport are affected.