As a group of 4000 pilots, dispatchers, and controllers, we stand for safety ahead of commerce. Al Jazeera interviewed our founder, Mark Zee, about the current risk in Ethiopian airspace created by the ATC strike, and why we care so much about getting the truth out to our members.

CYUL/Montreal Due to construction, no GA/BA ops allowed 1600-2000 local from May 15-Jun 30. From Jun 8-10 this is lifted for the Grand Prix.

LFZZ/France ATC have announced they will take part in the national general strike planned for May 22. Another ATC strike is planned for the LFMM/Marseille sector spanning the weekend May 26-28.

HCZZ/Somalia IFALPA have issued updated information on safety of operations within the Mogadishu FIR (HCSM). Details here.

LFMN/Nice With the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix happening this month, expect the airport to be busier than usual. They’ve published an AIP SUP (042/18) on it, but it just reiterates the normal procedures: slot and parking confirmation are required in advance.

WIZZ/Indonesia The Mount Merapi volcano in central Java erupted early on May 11, forcing nearby WAHH/Yoghakarta International Airport to temporarily close. Volcanic Ash cloud has since dissipated, and authorities say further eruptions are unlikely.

HBZZ/Burundi Canada is now warning against all travel to Burundi, due to ongoing political tensions, civil unrest and daily armed violence. A referendum is taking place on May 17, and demonstrations are expected over the next few weeks.

HLMS/Misrata Airport is set to re-open this week, after suspending air traffic two weeks ago to carry out maintenance on the runway. Security is still a major issue here though, as the airport has been forced to close on several occasions this year due to ongoing clashes between local militia.

EGGW/Luton Disruption expected over the holiday weekend May 25-30, as ground staff including firefighters, baggage handlers, and security staff, are planning to go on strike at various different times.

ORZZ/Iraq All airports in the country re-opened on May 12, following a 24hr closure for the elections.

VTBS/Bangkok IFALPA have issued some information on the ongoing problem of soft groundaffecting the taxiways and aircraft stands. Details here.

YSCB/Canberra Canberra don’t like receiving diverts without having an agreement in place. In Mar 2017, Qantas claim the airport refused to let their diverted B738 from departing again until a charge of $18,000 was paid by credit card – the usual fee should be around $2000.

FAZZ/South Africa More reports of “follow-home” armed robberies of foreigners travelling to/from airports. Ten separate incidents at FAOR/Johannesburg on Apr 27, and one at FALE/Durban on May 13.

UKZZ/Ukraine Ukraine has extended its ban on Russian aircraft entering Ukrainian airspace until 13th August.

KIMT/Iron Mountain The airport has now reopened, after the main runway was closed for 15 days for repair work.

KPGV/Greenville The runway repair work was completed four days ahead of schedule, and the airport reopened on May 15.

RPLL/Manila The airport is reporting numerous potholes, soft spots and uneven pavement on its taxiways and apron. None reported on the runways so far, but this time last year the airport was forced to shut down one runway for a few hours to repair a big pothole.

VOTV/Trivandrum Shortage of parking bays expected from now until the end of Aug. All night-stops require approval 24hrs in advance.

Starting April 23rd, 2018, Changi Airport (WSSS) will begin giving departure clearance (DCL) via datalink, on certain routes. The idea is to clear up voice communications when DCL can be used. Full details listed in CAAS AIP SUP 013/2018.

To use this, you’ll need ACARS, and be compliant with EUROCAE ED85-A. You’ll login to the ground system at WSSS.

The departures are as below:

– Destinations in Peninsular Malaysia via ATS Routes A457 and B466
– Destinations in Thailand via ATS Routes B466 and B469 / M751
– Destinations in Indonesia via ATS Route A457, R469 and B470
– Destinations in Australia and New Zealand via ATS Route B470
– Flights with allocated Calculated Take-Off Time (CTOT) under Bay of Bengal Cooperative Air Traffic Flow Management (BOBCAT)

A few other notes:

-The DCL message will not include requested crusing levels and final cruising levels. Your planned flight level in 15b will be used, and ATC will give cruise FL when airborne. Sounds like they won’t entertain any requests for a different FL while on the ground.

-No revisions allowed over datalink, all changes must be made by voice comms.

-Make your request with RCD message (see format in attached AIC) no more than 20 minutes before TOBT. If you’ve got a CTOT under BOBCAT, you’l need to put that in the message. If you’re routing via ANITO B470, list your FL at ANITO crossing.

If your DCL is rejected, you’ll get a “revert to voice procedures” message. A few auto-rejects:
-Flight routes not applicable.
-RCD message doesn’t comply with ED-85A or inaccurate data.
-Invalid TOBT
-When required due to flow restrictions.

Operating out of WSSS soon?  CAAS AIP SUP 013/2018 is worth a read.

FACT/Cape Town is facing a fuel restriction, no fuel available as of now (20 MAR 2018). The reason for the restriction is not known, but we have reached out to several suppliers who have all confirmed the same information.

We’re checking up to find the reasoning, as well as an estimated date of availability.

If you have any additional information, you can reach out at team@flightservice.org

LGZZ/Greece Landing and parking fee hikes are coming on Apr 1, at all those airports in Greece that are operated by Fraport: Aktion, Chania, Corfu, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kos, Lesbos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos, Thessaloniki and Zakynthos. Parking at all airports will now be at least twice as expensive as it used to be.

SBSP/Sao Paulo The World Economic Forum on Latin America 2018 will be taking place in Sao Paulo from Mar 13-15. For the first time since 1985, the city’s second airport SBSP/Congonhas will be open to international flights, from Mar 9-18. Only BA/GA will be accepted, nothing larger than 737BBJ / A319ACJ. This will be a trial period to check if the airport could regain its international status on a permanent basis.

VTZZ/Thailand Tropical storms are forecast across central Thailand, including in Bangkok, from Mar 8-10. Authorities have warned locals to prepare for possible flooding, as most dams and rivers in the area are already near capacity.

KZZZ/USA Travel disruption expected to continue across the Northastern states in the next few days, following the passage of Storm Quinn, which buried many areas with heavy snow. More than 2000 flights were cancelled at Northeastern airports because of the storm.

NFTF/Fua’amotu Reconstruction efforts continue, following damage caused by Cyclone Gita in Feb. The night-time curfew in central Nuku’alofa has been extended to Mar 12. The airport is open and operating, but travel to Togo is currently not advised due to damage to hotels and infrastructure across the rest of the island.

NZZZ/New Zealand Cyclone Hola is forecast to arrive sometime between Mar 11-13. The cyclone is currently building as a category 2 storm as it moves away from Vanuatu. It’s expected to intensify on Mar 8 as it moves southwest towards New Caledonia, with most forecasters saying it will then track towards the north island of New Zealand.

LGTS/Thessaloniki The hugely disruptive repair work that had been going on since early Dec 2017 has now been completed. Both runways are back in service, and the makeshift runway they were calling 10L/28R has now been re-assigned back as Taxiway F. Easyjet will re-commence their scheduled flights there from Mar 25 onwards.

LFZZ/France Potential strike by some Air France staff on Mar 23. If it goes ahead, it’s likely to be similar to the one held on Feb 22 which resulted in the carrier canceling a quarter of its flights.

VCZZ/Sri Lanka On Mar 6, the government announced a nationwide state of emergency in response to recent incidents of inter-communal violence in certain regions to the east of the capital, Colombo. There are restrictions on phone and internet access, and all the main social media platforms have been blocked. Soldiers have been deployed across the island for an initial 10-day period in a bid to prevent the unrest from spreading.

LGZZ/Greece We’ve heard reports that the Greek CAA are planning to introduce some new rules for non EU-registered aircraft with up to 19 seats intending to do charter flights to Greece. In order to pick-up or drop-off passengers, these operators will now need to apply for an annual licence from the CAA. This is quite separate from the existing requirement to get a Third Country Operator (TCO) approval from EASA. Expect an AIP update soon with more details on this.

RJZZ/Japan A volcano in southern Japan erupted on Mar 6, shooting smoke and ash up to 7,500 feet into the sky. All flights at the nearby RJFK/Kagoshima airport were grounded, though operations have since resumed. On Mar 7, an ash cloud was still being reported in the area up to FL150.

KSDM/San Diego CBP are threatening to close the Customs office at the airport from May 1, after failing to reach an agreement with the City of San Diego about a requested upgrade to the CBP facilities and equipment at the airport. If the closure goes ahead, GA will no longer be able to operate internationally to/from KSDM.

LXGB/Gibraltar On Mar 3, severe weather and a subsequent rockfall damaged some airport equipment – both the primary and secondary radar are currently out of service.

TTCP/Tobago The airport will be closed for runway repair each night between 02-10z until May 5.

MUZZ/Cuba The U.S. have claimed that some of its embassy staff in Havana have been targeted by so-called ‘health attacks’, and believe that U.S. citizens may also be at risk. They now specifically mention Hotel Nacional and Hotel Capri as hotels to avoid.

SOCA/Cayenne Due to ongoing staff shortages, the airport is unavailable from 01-11z every night now until further notice.

VIDP/Delhi Sporadic runway closures until the end of March will mean that at most times overnight, there will only be one runway available. Expect delays.

ZSPD/Shanghai The airport now has Cat-III ILS installed on RWY34L, which will enable pilots with the necessary qualification to land even when visibility is less than 175 meters / landing height less than 15 meters.

KZZZ/USA With the ADS-B deadline coming up in Jan 2020, U.S. operators can get their ADS-B equipment validated by the FAA for free – just do a flight of at least 10 minutes in ADS-B airspace above FL050, and the system will check the accuracy of the data your aircraft is transmitting, and will send you an automated report by email. Sign up here: https://adsbperformance.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx

Having fun in France airspace on peak days? France has just published their list of Conditional Routes (CTRs). You’ll be able to use these on busy Fridays and certain holidays:

—

Fridays:
FRI 20 APR, 27 APR ;
FRI 04 MAY, 11 MAY, 18 MAY, 25 MAY
FRI 01 JUN, 08 JUN, 15 JUN, 22 JUN, 29 JUN
FRI 06 JUL, 13 JUL, 20 JUL, 27 JUL
FRI 03 AUG, 10 AUG, 17 AUG, 24 AUG, 31 AUG
FRI 07 SEP, 14 SEP, 21 SEP, 28 SEP
FRI 05 OCT, 12 OCT, 19 OCT, 26 OCT.

CTRs:
From 1000-1500UTC, the following will have priorty for General Aviation Traffic:

UL722 (ANNET-KORUL above FL275)
UP620 (CAMBO-KORUL above FL275)
UN862 (UVUDO-OSMOB above FL 285)
UT21 (TOU-DIVKO above FL335)
UZ38 (MTL-PPG)
UZ539 (BOLSA-SIJAN)

—

Holidays:
TUE 01 MAY
TUE 08 MAY
THU 10 MAY
MON 21 MAY
WED 15 AUG.

CTRs:
From 0700-1700UTC:

UM164 POGOL-LUPEN

—

You can read the full AIP SUP 025/18 here.

We took the day here at FSB to make you all some sweet Valentines Day cards. We think we did pretty well, and we know you all love aviation puns.

Print them out, fold them out, and you’re done planning your Valentines Day!

I’m Plane Crazy About You!
Our Love will never stall…
You’re the Prist to my Jet-A
It’s Plane to see, you’ve got me in a tailspin

If you’d like all four, you can get them here.

Happy Valentines Day!

As you may know, the FAA is working on Runway Status Lights (RWSL). It’s a new system that’s live at 20 airports in the US. Basically, you get a nice set of red lights (embedded in the ramp) that tell you whether it’s safe or not to proceed. These lights are installed (or placed or located) at the entrance of the runway and at the start of takeoff. If any of these lights are red, you don’t go. Simple as that.

These lights are fully automated and completely independent of ATC, which means they do not have a clue if the lights are red or not. This is intentional. If you get clearance from ATC, and you see red lights, the red lights take precedence over the controller. The FAA has issued SAFO17011, stating:

There have been several instances at RWSL airports where flightcrews have ignored the illuminated red in-pavement RWSL lights when issued a clearance by Air Traffic Control (ATC). Illuminated RWSLs mean aircraft/vehicles stop or remain stopped and contact ATC for further direction, relaying to ATC that the RWSLs are illuminated.

This system will be expanding throughout the United States, and you can read more about the system here: FAA Runway Status Lights.

Update: 1800Z / 24October

Good news–the strike scheduled for October 27th has been cancelled, no disruptions in ATC services to be expected.  All FIRs have issued NOTAMs accordingly.

—

Italy ATC Unions have announced a strike on October 27th, which is a Friday (big surprise there). As of now, the strike is expected to take place from 1100-1500UTC.

Negotiations are ongoing, and we have our contacts in Italy keeping us updated to any developments and impact to operations.

ENAV has confirmed the strike could affect:

Milano, Roma, and Brindisi ACCs, ATS and MET at a large chunk of Italian airports, the flight planning data office, ground communications, weather forecasting units…it’s a large strike.

Read up on the full NOTAM below, and we’ll get the updates here when they’re posted.

DUE TO STRIKE OF PART OF OPERATIONAL PERSONNEL FOLLOWING AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES MAY BE AFFECTED:
1) LIBB, LIMM, LIPP AND LIRR ACC/FIC
2) ATS AND MET OBS PROVIDED BY ENAV, AT:
LIBD LIBF LIBG LIBP LIBR
LIEE LIEO LIMA LIMC LIME
LIPH LIPK LIPO LIPQ LIPR
LIRI LIRN LIRQ LIRU LIRZ
3) ATS/AIS/MET AND COM PROVIDED BY
- NOTAM OFFICE (NOF-AFTN LIIAYNYX)
- ATS REPORTING OFFICES WITH CENTRAL BRIEFING OFFICE CAPABILITY 
(ARO-CBO ROMA-AFTN LIRFZPZX AND ARO-CBO MILANO-AFTN LIMLZPZX) NOTAM IN FORCE
- INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION CENTRE (ICC-AFTN LIIDYFYX)
- CENTRALIZED AUTOMATED FLIGHT PLANNING DATA OFFICE (AODO-AFTN LIIRZEZX)
- GROUND GROUND COMMUNICATION MONITORING UNIT (CME)
4) METEOROLOGICAL FORECASTING UNITS (UPM ROMA-AFTN LIJRYMYX AND UPM MILANO-AFTN LIJLYMYX).
REMARKS:
A) ACCORDING TO ITALIAN LAW 146/90 AND 83/2000 THE PROVISION OF ATS WILL BE GRANTED TO:
- STATE/HEAD/FFR/MEDEVAC/HOSP/HUM/SAR/ATFMX AND EMERGENCY FLIGHT
- OVERFLYING FLT AND STATE AIRCRAFT
- INCOMING INTERCONTINENTAL FLT
- FLT TO/FM ITALIAN ISLANDS AND DEP INTERCONTINENTAL AS IDENTIFIED BY CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY
- ALL OTHER FLT SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY 
B) DURING STRIKE ATS/AIS/MET MAY BE PROVIDED TO ADDITIONAL FLT ACCORDING TO RELEVANT 
FLOW CONTROL MEASURES FOR LIBB LIMM LIPP LIRR ACC ISSUED IN DUE TIME BY EUROCONTROL DNM (DIRECTORATE NETWORK MANAGER)
C) AVAILABILITY OF AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY ATS/AIS /MET/COM 
UNITS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY SPECIFIC NOTAM

Updated: 1415Z / 09October

Good news–TNCM is set to reopen to commercial flights on October 10th.  ATC is 100%, and security is in place for all areas (including the perimeter fence).  The terminal is not yet fully operational, so there will be a hall set up with kiosks to support the passengers.

For daily updated status of SXM, please view our main Maria post here.   Below are photos sent to us from on the ground at TNCM/ SXM after the storm passed.

We’ve got some progress photos:

Original Photos:

Keep an eye here for any updates.

Save

In 2018, Switzerland will be launching their own emissions trading scheme, to integrate with the rest of the European ETS.

All domestic flights, flights from Switzerland and Basel-Mulhouse Airport into Europe, as well as flights between Switzerland and Basel-Mulhouse will apply to the new ETS.  A few exceptions:

• Government / Heads of State Flights
• Military, Customs, Police Flights
• VFR Flights
• Training Flights
• Flights operated by aircraft under 5700 kg.
• …more in attached PDF.

As of 30 September, all aircraft operators were to submit their monitoring plan, and starting January 1st, operators need to record the emissions data based on the same monitoring plan.

All monitoring plans, data reports, and enquires should be sent to:

Mail:
Federal Office of the Environment
Climate Division
“Civil Aviation Monitoring”
3003 Bern

Email:
climate@bafu.admin.ch

Full AIC from Switzerland: AIC 006 2017A CH ETS

Update – 1700Z / 05Oct:

Each airport is dealing with PPR individually, so best to make contact locally for full requirements.

Please see our main Maria post here for individual airport and PPR requirements.

First Hand Accounts:  https://ops.group/blog/ops-reports-puerto-rico/

Local Contacts:

Following the 19Sep earthquake in Mexico City, MMMX airport sustained damage, and forced closure:

• If you require information about your flight, get in touch with your airline.
• Access to Terminal 2 is only through the roundabout, plan ahead to arrive on time.
• The airtrain is out of service.  Bus service is available between P6 and P7 from T1 and P4 from T2.
• AICM is currently working on fixing both terminals, and this work is not risking the security the customers.

MMTO/Toluca Remained operational, did not close, no issues reported.

Any updates to MMMX operations will be posted here.

Just the Facts:

On September 15th, North Korea launched another missile, for the first time crossing over Japanese landmass. This one flew for 19 minutes, flew 2300 miles, and was likely a variant of the Hwasong-12 missile.

With the extended range, it puts more airspace at risk from debris fields.  Once can reasonably exclude quite a bit of this airspace, as all launches are easterly.

This launch passed over the airways below off the coast of Japan:

Continued caution should be taken in oceanic airspace west of North Korea.

For more reading, read our post on the missiles specific to the Sea of Japan:
https://ops.group/blog/heres-why-north-korean-missiles-are-now-a-real-threat-to-civil-aviation/

ZZZZ/Worldwide One of our primary missions at FSB is to monitor the world’s airspace and report on new risks to civil aviation. When enough changes occur, we update our “Unsafe Airspace Summary“ (PDF download). Last week, we published a new summary effective 16AUG2017 – version “INDIA” … Read the article.

KZZZ/USA Operating under Part 119 and performing operations under part 121 and/or part 135 under the jurisdiction of the FAA? If that’s you then you need to know that you can no longer rely on the FAA to provide flight or engineer examiners. There is a requirement for those organisations operating under this rule part to have a training and checking program. It looks like this requirement hasn’t been enforced in the past. That will be changing. Expect your local inspector to be in touch in the next few weeks.

HAZZ/Ethiopia On 21 August, the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress called for a general strike throughout the Oromo region, which surrounds the capital Addis Ababa, for the next five days. Travelers should expect disruptions to business activities throughout the region during the strike.

KASE/Aspen The FAA recently published a letter to airmen outlining a VFR climb procedure at Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) that may enable business aircraft crews to avoid delays following suspension of the “Wrap” departure procedure from ASE’s Runway 33 earlier this year. More from NBAA. While ATC will not ask pilots to depart under VFR climb, crews may request the procedure. More here.

OLZZ/Lebanon On Monday Lebanese military forces announced that they had uncovered a cache of anti-aircraft missiles among other arms caches abandoned by militants in Ras Baalbek. The other weapons include anti-personnel mines, mortars and machine guns. There were no reports indicating that the anti-aircraft weapons were connected to any terror plot; rather, they were likely for battlefield use, given that they were seized along with other weapons.

MMZZ/Mexico The US updated its travel warning for Mexico yesterday, warning about the risk of traveling to certain parts of Mexico due to the activities of criminal organizations in those areas. Travelers been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states.

TXKF/Bermuda radar is out of action Thursday 4-10Z, usual advice – operate above FL320, or avoid the airspace. See Notam KZNY A0231/17 for the details.

BIKF/Keflavik Tower continues to have some staffing issues, keep an eye on their Notams the day of your operation, and consider another NAT fuel stop if needed.

LLZZ/Israel National Holiday Sept 18-19. They shut up shop at 1100 on the 18 Sep, and aren’t back at work until over 32 hours later at 1930 on the 19 Sep. First departure won’t be until 2030. It’s an important religious holiday in Israel. This is in addition to the closure for works on 7 Sep from 1500-1955, and the daily closures and block outs of GA aircraft due congestion. If you are planning a stop in Tel Aviv pick your time carefully. The FIR (LLLL) has the same closure on the 18-19 Sep.

MUCF/Cienfuegos will have no tower controller at 26th – 31st Aug, if you need to operate and require ATC, they say a controller can be arranged with 24 hrs notice.

EGAE/Derry is open again after flooding closed the terminal building on Tuesday night.

LPZZ/Portugal All airports – Immigration officers are planning strike action for 24th and 25th, high potential for delays.

FQZZ/Mozambique Visa on arrival is now available as an exception only. If visas are available from your home country they should be applied for prior to travel.

UUZZ/Russia On 21 August, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow announced that U.S. missions across Russia would suspend non-immigrant visa operations starting on 23 August. These operations will resume on 1 September but on a significantly smaller scale. The U.S. cited Russia’s decision to drastically reduce U.S. diplomatic staff in Russia as the reason for the reduction in non-immigrant visa operations. Beginning 1 September, non-immigrant visa interviews will be conducted in Moscow only.

VVZZ/Vietnam There has been a sharp increase in the number of Dengue fever cases from Vietnam. The only form of prevention for Dengue is to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.

DFZZ/Burkina Faso Updated travel advisory, following the recent terrorist attack on a restaurant in the capital Ouagadougou which killed 19. “Avoid non essential travel due threat of terrorism.” Multiple sources.

PLCH/Christmas Island Fuel is listed as available only for scheduled flights until mid-October due to supply issues.

EGMC/Southend Airport closed overnight between 2200-0500 04-08 Sept for all but scheduled flights.

LDPL/Pula Congestion going on, you’ll need PPR until August 27th.  Email them at operations@airport-pula.hr

ZSXX/China Couple of airports here are publishing daily not to file them as an alternate. So check before filing if you are looking to use any of these airports ZGGG, ZGHA, ZHCC, ZSXZ.

LEBL/Barcelona Security staff at Barcelona airport have announced Industrial action for Fridays, Sundays and Mondays starting from 4th August, with the following time schedule: 0330-0430, 0830-0930, 1430-1530, 1630-1730 UTC.

HAZZ/Ethiopia The government lifted on Aug. 4 a state of emergency that has been in place since last October, AP reported.

DISP/San Pedro, Ivory Coast is closed for two weeks since August 2 to renovate the runway, which is in urgent need of repair, according to Ivorian authorities. The runway has been renovated in the past; however, past repairs were insufficient to prevent the runway from deteriorating to its current state of disrepair.

KZZZ/USA The eclipse is coming! As the moon moves in front of the sun on August 21st, a “path of totality” will develop in portions of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina. This rare event has created intense demand for airport services in these areas, and operators should expect delays to ground support, parking and possibly even approach sequencing to busier airports. NBAA has published some useful guidance for business operators in the US.

DFFD/Ouagadougou is reporting some capacity issues, and would prefer not to be filed as an alternate until August 19th.

EDDK/Cologne is PPR for non-scheduled traffic, apply 72 hours prior to flight: +49 2203 40 4310, flightinfo@cgn.de.

VTBD/Bangkok On August 7th, authorities stated that they were conducting an investigation into Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (VTBD/DMK) following reports that approximately 5,000 passengers were forced to stand in lines for four to five hours at the facility’s immigration checkpoints. The 4 August incident occurred when several delayed flights resulted in increased passenger traffic at the facility. Heightened security measures in place at the airport — resulting in extended immigration screening — exacerbated the security processing delay. Several passengers required medical attention due to poor ventilation in the immigration checkpoint area and lack of available food or water. An airport official stated that the facility would open more immigration counters in response to the incident, which will allow authorities to process at least 1,800 visitors per hour.

YZZZ/Australia Further details have emerged about the foiled attack targeting commercial aviation in Australia, which authorities first revealed on July 30. An Australian Federal Police (AFP) official stated that two Lebanese-Australian nationals plotted to place an improvised explosive device (IED) on an Etihad Airways flight departing Sydney Airport (YSSY/SYD) on 15 July. One of the suspects brought the luggage containing the IED to the airport but then left before reaching the check-in counter. Officials have not yet established why he abandoned the attempt. The man intended to give the luggage to his brother, who boarded the aircraft. Officials stated, however, that the passenger was likely unaware of the contents of the luggage, and therefore have not charged or arrested him. The components used to manufacture the IED, which officials described as a “high-end military-grade explosive,” originated in Turkey and were transported to Australia via air cargo. This development prompted officials to enhance security measures employed to screen cargo aircraft.

LPZZ/Portugal Planned strike action by Portuguese immigration officers on 24 and 25 August 2017 may cause delays entering/exiting.

OTZZ/Qatar It had been reported that Bahrain and UAE authorities had lifted the ban on Qatar registered aircraft using their airspace, but this has been denied by both authorities and the ban still exists. Qatar aircraft have been using airspace above international waters which is managed by GCAA UAE but not airspace above their territory.

KTEB/Teterboro has a new RNAV SID – The Ruudy 6 – effective from August 17th, in response to ATC concerns over pilot deviations – 112 reports filed – on the previous version of the SID.

HSZZ/South Sudan The FAA has extended the warning on South Sudanese airspace for another year. Review the full page at http://safeairspace.net/information/south-sudan/

KZZZ/USA The FAA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) – operators with aircraft equipped with ADS-B out systems and meeting specific altitude equipment requirements may no longer need to go through the lengthy and challenging RVSM approval process. Comments due by 06SEP. ADS-B will be mandatory in most US Airspace by Jan 2020.

WIHH/Jakarta Halim The Indonesian government has announced it has decided to transfer all Jakarta outbound Hajj flights from Jakarta Halim to Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport effective immediately. A statement issued by the Ministry of Transportation said it had taken the decision after a departing B777 ripped a hole measuring 3x2x0.25m in Halim’s runway on Friday last week. The aircraft was the first of three such flights scheduled to depart from Jakarta Halim during the first day of charters. Repairs to the affected strip took three hours to complete resulting in light delays to other departing flights.

RKSI/Seoul is introducing High Intensity Runway Ops (HIRO) at Incheon, new procedures, review the related AIC here.

VHHH/Hong Kong is now doing the CDM thing (Collaborative Decision Making), so have a read of AIC 12/17 for the details if you’re operating in there and want to know what TOBT and TSAT mean.

RJZZ/Japan The frequency of North Korean missile launches that end with a splashdown in the Fukuoka FIR is of concern. Last weekend, one such missile came close to civil traffic, and this is not the first such event. We are preparing a summary for operators, and would request wider reader input on this. Has your operation/airline/authority made any changes recently to operations in the western portion of the Fukuoka FIR in Japan? Talk to us at bulletin@fsbureau.org.

BGSF/Sondrestrom For NAT Ops on Sunday August 27th, note that BSGF/Sondrestrom will be closed to all traffic, as they are upgrading infrastructure. Sundays in Greenland see most airports closed in any case, but the option of paying $1000 or so to have them open for you is normally there. On this date,  BGSF won’t be, which may affect your diversion options. They do say that if there’s an emergency, call them on +299 52 42 27 to determine availability.

RJZZ/Japan As of 1800 local time (0900 UTC) on August 3, Typhoon Noru was located approximately 350nm east-northeast of Kadena Air Force Base, Japan, and was moving in a northwesterly direction at a speed of approximately 8 knots. At that point, Noru was posting maximum sustained winds of 80 knots with gusts up to 105 knots. Noru is expected to make landfall after 48 hours in southern Japan. Southern parts of South Korea, including the port city of Busan, will also likely experience torrential rainfall, which could trigger flooding and landslides.

LFLL/Lyon has some fuel supply issues ongoing, advising tankering where possible.

FAZZ/South Africa The U.S. Mission to South Africa advises travellers to exercise caution when arranging ground transportation from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to hotels, guest houses, and residences. Numerous U.S. citizens and other travellers have been robbed at gun point while traveling from the Airport to their place of lodging in what are known as ‘follow home’ robberies. In some instances, U.S. citizens have been injured or shot at during these robberies.

RPLL/Manila Increasing levels of reports of laser lights within 10nm of the airport. [more in Aireport]

ZYHB/Taiping No overnight parking for Business or General Aviation due to parking until 30SEP. [more in Aireport]

SPIM/Lima Volcano eruptions from Mount Sabancaya continue to create airspace warnings up to FL250.

FOOL/Libreville Will be closed overnight 2300-0900Z until August 12th. [more in Aireport]

LIZZ/Italy Baggage handlers at Milan’s Malpensa Airport (LIMC/MXP) and Linate Airport (LIML/LIN) staged a last-minute strike on August 1. The handlers apparently warned the airport operator the day prior, although airport officials claim they did not know ahead of time. The strike caused significant delays for passengers.

UMMS/Minsk, Belarus Will be closed for runway maintenance at various times overnight until the end of August.

LGGG/Athens FIR Strike action planned for Air Traffic Safety Personnel (ATSEP) until 05Aug. Emergency frequencies will remain uninterrupted, although the authorities advise caution as “problems to systems may arise affecting communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) services” during this period. Probably not too much effect.

LTBA/Istanbul Ataturk The airport is balancing “Supply and Demand.”  Here’s the rundown:
– New seasonal charter and cargo flights to land will not be accepted.
– Technical landings and diversions will not be accepted (unless you’re stationed there).
– Business flights are allowed, as long as the hourly flight limits haven’t been exceeded.
– Flights for MX are allowed to LTBA, but you’ll need to get your slot well in advance.
– Make sure you have a valid slot, they’ll reject your plan if not.
– If you have a permit prior to 24JUL, you’ll be accepted. [more in Aireport]

EETN/Tallinn PPR required for all parking needs over 3 hours. Get in contact at ad.apron.control@tll.aero until the end of August. [more in Aireport]

KZZZ/United States The TSA has announced that travelers will be required to separate more electronic devices from their carry-on baggage when passing through security screening points at U.S. airports. Currently, travelers are only required to take out laptop computers from their carry-on luggage for separate screening; under the new regulations, all devices larger than a mobile phone — including tablets and e-readers — will need to be placed in their own bins to be screened separately. The regulations are already in effect as part of a pilot program at 10 U.S. airports and are expected to be rolled out to facilities across the country in the coming months. The enhanced measures will not affect travelers who are enrolled in pre-check security programs.

FOZZ/Gabon New phone numbers for ANAC- +241 1 44 56 54, and +241 1 44 56 58.

ZKZZ/North Korea On August 2, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Alert for North Korea, which reads in part as follows: “The Secretary of State published a Notice on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 that will restrict the use of U.S. passports to travel into, in, or through North Korea/the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), effective Friday, September 1, 2017. The Secretary has authorized the restriction due to the serious and mounting risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. citizens under North Korea’s system of law enforcement. Persons who wish to travel to North Korea on a U.S. passport must obtain a special passport validation under 22 C.F.R. 51.64, and such validations will be granted only under very limited circumstances. The Department of State will publish information on how to apply for a passport with a special validation on travel.state.gov when OMB approval is effective. Persons currently in North Korea on a U.S. passport should depart North Korea before the travel restriction enters into effect on Friday, September 1, 2017”

EISN/Shannon FIR The introduction of direct routings in the lower FIR was planned for 14SEP but has been delayed to 12OCT (maybe longer).

YZZZ/Australia Security procedures at Australian airports have been tightened, with pictures of huge lineups in the media. This follows a foiled attack plot last week. Sydney is the largest delay location.