Monday Briefing: Belgium ATC Strike, France Delays

Possible Belgium ATC Strike 25JUN A decision is expected by 1000Z today on possible Industrial Action in Belgium. If it goes ahead, it will start at 1500Z with sporadic work stoppages rather than a blanket closure.

France Strike: High Delays 25JUN Wednesday will see extensive delays again through French Airspace, with over 300,000 delay minutes already showing in the slot system. Re-route options are published though these will also be subject to CTOT delay. Further below.

LFXX/France The strike is continuing as planned, and although Union negotiation is taking place, there is no indication that it will not continue for the full 6 days originally forecast. For tactical information and re-route suggestions, use the Eurocontrol NOP. A teleconference will take place this afternoon European time at 1100Z. Dial-in number: +32 2 401 54 26. Participant PIN code: 38557308#.

EGCC/Manchester and EGLL/London Heathrow are not available as alternates during the period of the French strike.

NTAA/Tahiti is renewing the runway from mid July to beginning of January 2015 and specific opening hours will apply from this point onwards. Direct arrival in Bora Bora or any other island is possible with an advance notice of 21 days.

TNCA/Aruba will be closed daily until 1100Z until 01JUL.

EINN/Shannon Airport will be closed on the night of 04JUL from 2145-0100Z due to the main runway being used for a charity event. Operators using EINN as a North Atlantic alternate should consider EIDW/Dublin instead during this period.

FMEE/Reunion Island Volcano Piton La Fournaise on Reunion Island has erupted although there is currently no ash plume reported.

DIAP/Abidjan The airports’ only runway will be closed 24-29JUN from 0230-0800Z.

DAAA/Algiers Area Control Centre has a new combined telephone and fax number from 24JUN: + 213 23 90 76 10.

FEFF/Bangui, Central African Republic extends Jet A1 unavailability until end of July.

HDAM/Djibouti has their Independence Day on 27JUN. No traffic is permitted to operate overnight, until 1000Z.

HSSJ/Juba has advised that runway maintenance will begin at 1300Z each day 01JUL, closing the main runway.

MZBZ/Belize is taking their SSR radar off the air for the month of July, meaning a procedural only approach control service and likely delays during high traffic periods.

French Polynesia effective 25JUN new phone numbers are in place for Tahiti and all French Polynesia islands. Mobile numbers have an “87” added after the country code, land line numbers have a “40”.