18APR: Expanded Syria airspace risk, Russia is not closing to US flights, Morocco's new Agadir ACC

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GMZZ/Morocco The new Agadir ACC is due to open on Apr 26. Within the GMMM/Casablanca FIR, the Agadir ACC will manage air traffic off the coast (a handful of airways linking Spain with the Canary Islands), whilst the old Casablanca ACC will continue to manage everything else across the rest of the country. The new AFTN code for Agadir ACCis GMACZQZX. More details will be published on the Eurocontrol NOP Portal by Apr 20. In the meantime, you can see the full AIRAC update here.

OSZZ/Syria Reports of another missile strike over Syria on Apr 17 were denied by the Syrian military as a false alarm, but say their defence systems were triggered by an electronic attack on their radars by Israel and the US – both of whom deny the claim.

VTZZ/Thailand Most parts of northern and central Thailand, including Bangkok, will be affected by powerful tropical storms from Apr 17-19, marking the end of the Songkran holiday.

KCOS/Colorado Springs The airport has now re-opened, after a fire that broke out overnight on Apr 16 forced the main terminal to be closed and all commercial flights suspended.

HAAB/Addis Ababa Flights have resumed after a surprise ATC strike on the morning of Apr 17 brought airport activities to a virtual standstill for more than an hour. Unions have not ruled out further action if demands are not met.

HEZZ/Egypt As authorities continue to confront armed militants in North Sinai, the Nile Delta and the Western Desert, the state of emergency across the country has been extended for another three months – the fourth time since it was first declared last year.

AYZZ/Papua New Guinea The National Weather Service are currently on strike until Apr 25. METAR/TAF is still being provided at AYPY/Port Moresby, the country’s main international airport. Other airports might not have any weather forecasts published.

AYBK/Buka Island Damage to the precision approach path indicator lights, blamed on vandalism. PAPI is now out of action until the end of May, and national carrier Air Niugini has suspended all flights at the airport until further notice.

GATB/Timbuktu Terrorist attack on the UN base near the airport on Apr 15, including a rocket and car bomb attack that left one UN peacekeeper dead, and over 20 others wounded. To operate to GATB, you need authorization from the Malian Air Force. Email them at panif.cccoa@gmail.com, or phone +223 20221631.

ENTC/Tromso Airport’s only runway will be closed overnight Sun-Fri 22-04Z due construction from May 24-Sep 13. Full details here.

VNRB/Rajbiraj A new runway has been built, 1500 metres long and 30 metres wide, to replace the old grass runway – and the airport is now set to open to domestic traffic on May 1.

EGGX/Shanwick NAT has released a guidance document of Performance Based Separation Minima. There’s nice information on specific requirements for airspaces. Full details here.

KGVT/Greenville The airport will close for runway repairs from Apr 28-30, and again from May 5-7. No NOTAM yet, so keep a watch out for changes.

PGUM/Agana A big TRA is active from Apr 15-22, which is centered on Anderson AFB, but does cover a lot of airspace north of PGUM airport, and extends from 2600-20000 feet. Full details here.

KBGR/Bangor All RVR at the airport will be out of service until Apr 20. During the same time, CAT II and III ILS won’t be available on RWY 15.

NWWW/Noumea Airport is open, but backup power is out of service. Cannot be used as an alternate until Apr 20.

LCZZ/Cyprus Cyprus has restricted a section of airspace (LCD3&LCD4) just south of the island for the British Military. As of now, this area is reserved until May 12.

KZZZ/USA The FAA have issued a new Advisory with standardized guidance for operating at non-towered airports. Full details here.

ZUJZ/Jiuzhaigou The airport will reopen on Apr 18, after being closed since Aug 2017 due to a 7-magnitude earthquake in the nearby Jiuzhai Valley – a popular tourist destination in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

UUWW/Moscow A Moscow airspace closure SFC-FL100 means there will be no arrivals or departures allowed from any Moscow airports between 0740-0810z each day on Apr 16-19. Expect disruption before and after these times too. This closure is for rehearsals for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade and airshow.

WMKK/Kuala Lumpur Possible delays over the next couple of months due to reduced runway capacity. Every night from 17-22z until the end of Apr, the airport will be closing one of its three runways – a different one each night. Then from May 11 to June 7, one runway will be closed completely.

OYSN/Sana’a On Apr 12, Saudi warplanes bombed the airport in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital city, in response to Houthi rockets launched towards Saudi targets on Apr 11. Saudi Arabia had attacked Sanaa airport in Nov 2017, damaging its ground navigation tower and parts of its runway.

18APR: Expanded Syria airspace risk, Russia is not closing to US flights, Morocco’s new Agadir ACC