Monday Briefing: UK Delays, Libya overflights

UK Prepares for day of delays Nov 30th: Immigration officials in the UK will be on strike today across the country, giving potential to some significant delays at major airports where passenger numbers are high. NATS have recommended carrying sufficient fuel for diversion to Europe, and Eurocontrol have published a list of diversion airfield availability for Wednesday’s action – see the Ops Notices below for further.

Libya overflights possible this week Nov 30th: Following the reopening of airports in Libya, the airspace above the country remains closed to overflights. That situation could change this week, however, as the Libyan CAA and interested parties work through the details of arrangements to reopen several routes overflying the country – allowing airlines in particular a shorter route to and from other African countries. Although no details have been confirmed, it seems we are in the final stages before HLLL FIR is open once again.

EGxx/UK AIrports – Immigration services on strike today; delays are expected, some major. EGLL Management suggesting up to 6 hours delay for arriving pax, meaning aircraft will be held on arrival, and hence ATC delays anticipated.

Eurocontrol have published a list of diversion airfields available:

EGLL/KK/SS/CC/PD – No Diversions to these airports – file another alternate.
EGGD/PF/PH/FF – Diversions accepted
EGBB/GW/HI – Diversions PPR only

EINN Diversions accepted (6 wide, 4 med)
EIDW Diversions accepted
EHAM Limited number of diversions accepted
EBOS Diversions accepted (5 wide, 9 med)
EBBR Diversions accepted (10 to 15 depending on type)
EDDF Diversions accepted (5 all types)

Westbound NAT Tracks 30NOV

KZNY/New York Center have requested operators file the following arrival routes:

KJFK – DOVEY SAILE PLYMM PARCH1.
KEWR and KTEB – DOVEY SAILE BOS BAF SHAFF6 OR BOS BAF FLOSI1
KIAD – BOS BAF HYPER3, OR ZIBUT ORF FKN FAK BARIN1, OR BOJAN SIE ENO V268 BAL V44 MRB AML
KPHL – BOJAN WICKE SIE VCN JIMGE2, OR ACK HTO J121 BRIGS VCN8, OR LINND OWENZ DRIFT BRIGS VCN JIMGE2

LPFR/Faro Reduced capacity due to airfield damage from storm last month – arrival restrictions continue until 04DEC est.

LDZO/Zagreb FIR ATC System upgrade tonight, No Air Traffic Service will be provided by Zagreb ACC from 2000Z until 0500Z tomorrow. LDZA Approach and Tower closed during the same period.

LIMC/Milan Malpensa ILS Check today, arrivals regulated 1200-1500, HIGH delays predicted.

Russia and CIS FIRs Change to RVSM and ICAO standard FL allocation. We produced a guide last month – if you’re still confused – ask us for a copy!

Kabul FIR, Afghanistan Reduced Horizontal Separation will apply from 15 December to aircraft which are approved for RNP-10 operation on ATS routes: N636 (SERKA-PAROD), UL333 (SERKA-SOKAM), P628 (ASLUM-CHARN). With effect from 12 January 2012, route: L750 (ROSIE-RANAH), N644 (PAVLO-LEMOD), A466 (SITAX-AMDAR), G796 (LAJAK- MURAD), M881 (LAJAK-EGPAN) are included. The reduction is from ICAO standard 80nm/10 mins down to 50nm/7 mins.

DNKK/Kano FIR, Nigeria All locator based Instrument approaches withdrawn with effect 17NOV11.

FABL/Bloemfontein Slots required for ops 05-09 January. Fuelling restrictions also.

OEJD/Jeddah FIR Saudi Authorities have issued a statement via their AIP that all the Aircraft Registration must be included in Field 18 of the ATC Plan or overflight will be refused.

TTZP/Piarco FIR No radar service available from ATC above FL135 between 28Nov – 04Dec due to software upgrade.

UKDD/Dnipropetrovsk Fuel supply is limited, check supply available before departure.

UTTT/SS/Tashkent and Samarkand Authorities have published several NOTAMs warning operators to essentially not use the airports as fuel stops. NOTAMs dictate that all aircraft must have sufficient fuel to fly to next destination onboard.

VLVT/Wattay Intl Vientiane Radar (Both PSR and SSR) is u/s until 24Dec. Approach on 119.7 will be using procedural control.

Somalia If you’re brave enough to send an aicraft there, bear in mind that all airports except for the following, are closed to non-humanitarian traffic: Airports in Somaliland, Puntland, Beletuen, Dussa mareb, Adado and Guryael. All ops require prioir permission.

Sudan The Sudan CAA has appointed a new department to handle the carriage of Dangerous Goods by air, based in Khartoum.