EASA Updates ‘Suspect Aircraft’ Guidelines 01JUN EASA has published new guidelines for inspectors to assess which aircraft should be prioritised for SAFA ramp checks in Europe and SAFA compliant states. Read the article.

8th French ATC strike this weekend 01JUN Notification has been given by French ATC Unions of a Three Day Strike this coming weekend from Friday-Monday, starting at 0400Z Friday 03JUN. Read the article.

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ZZZZ/China The new 144 hour visa-free rule is extended to Nanjing Lukou Airport of Jiangsu, Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport of Zhejiang, and all air, sea and railway ports of Shanghai, including Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Wusong Passenger Transport Center and all railway stations in Shanghai.

CYMM/Fort McMurray is scheduled to reopen 10JUN to regular commercial operations. The airport has been closed to normal traffic due to a significant forest fire.

MMAA/Acapulco after an outage lasting several years the ILS for RWY 10/28 is operational again.

KSEA/Seattle has runway 16C/34C closed until 27JUN for repairs. ATC initiatives possible through the construction.

EINN/Shannon and EICK/Cork will be testing a new “Remote Tower” system from 06JUN until September, where at quieter times the controller in Dublin will provide the ATC service to flights at Shannon and Cork. The IAA says airspace users will not notice the change. We think you might.

LFLL/Lyon will be re-numbering their runway to 17/35 from 18/36 in September.

VOTP/Tirupati will begin International operations beginning the end of June with flights to the U.S. The airport had recently upgraded their customs systems and other procedures.

LZZZ/Mediterranean Despite some reports, NATO operations in Libya appear unlikely. There are several new airspace NOTAMs, but is anyone still flying to Libya?

LFZZ/France due to ongoing protests at french oil refineries and fuel shortages the French CAA has advised to tanker in as much fuel as possible to help mitigate any issues. Please check with local handlers for any specific fuel constraints.

SPZZ/Ecuador Volcano Sangay is producing ash that extends up to 20,000 feet. Movement is towards the west at 10 knots. Please check with the Washington VAAC for the latest advisories.

LLBG/Tel Aviv, Israel On 26-27MAY strike action in the form of a work go-slow took place.The slowdown has primarily affected outgoing flights by increasing the time between takeoffs, but it has been reported that if the slowdown continues it will begin to affect incoming flights.

NVZZ/Vanuatu 27MAY a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck west of Vanuatu. The quake was centered approximately 60 mi/95 km northwest of Port Vila and was measured at a depth of about 6 mi/10 km. No tsunami warning has been issued.

DAZZ/Algeria At 0054 local time (2354 UTC) on 28MAY, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck approximately 35 mi/55 km southeast of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. The epicenter of the earthquake registered a depth of approximately 7 mi/ 12 km. Following the quake, there were no reports of injuries or damage.

FNZZ/Angola A yellow fever outbreak has caused 301 deaths so far this year. The number of suspected cases is 2,536. The outbreak began in Luanda and has since spread to areas throughout the country, particularly along the coast and in the central regions, despite a large-scale vaccination program.

VDPP/Cambodia Political tensions are high in Cambodia following contested national elections in 2013. Arrest warrants have been issued for the leaders of the opposition CNRP party and the situation is unpredictable. On 30 May police blocked roads in southern Phnom Penh to prevent opposition CNRP supporters from carrying out a planned protest march. Further disruption is possible if the remaining leader is arrested. The opposition party has announced it will hold mass, non-violent, demonstrations and a number of unions have said they will strike in support.

LFZZ/France Despite recent strikes, the French government has stated it will not back down from labor reforms despite street protests and refinery blockades. The CGT Union has threatened to disrupt the upcoming Euro 2016 soccer tournament if the government does not back down; however, after meeting with representatives of the oil industry, government officials stated that the situation at fuel depots is improving.

Ramadan starts on 06JUN, for one month. If you are operating to any Islamic countries, expect the usual slowdown in work, longer processing times for permits, and closures.

OEZZ/Saudi FIR Saudi Arabia has intercepted a ballistic missile that was fired from Yemen, after which Saudi aircraft bombarded the missile’s platform. A Saudi official stated that the country may reconsider the kingdom’s truce with Yemen, as a result of the strike. The missile launch was the second strike in May.

RCZZ/Taiwan On 31MAY, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 70 mi/115 km northeast of Taipei. The quake was measured at a depth of about 150 mi/240 km. There were no reports of damage, and no tsunami warning was issued.

UKZZ/Ukraine On 29MAY, attacks by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, violating the ceasefire signed in February 2015, killed five Ukrainian military officers and wounded four others. The latest attacks follow a 24 May report released by Ukrainian authorities, stating seven soldiers were killed on that day, making it the deadliest day for Ukrainian forces since August last year.

KZZZ/USA The State Dept has issued a warning to arriving travellers this summer to make sure that they have all necessary documents to enter the United States – there have been multiple changes to the rules this year (see Active Bulletins below for more on this).

View the full International Bulletin 01JUN2016

Brazil Airspace changes for Olympics 18MAY A number of airspace changes, and specific procedures for aircrew and ATC, have been created for Brazil in advance of the 2016 Olympic Games, which start on 05AUG. Read the article.

Increase in Fake Nav Charges 18MAY We’ve seen an increasing variety of bogus emails, that at first glance look like they are from Eurocontrol – but aren’t. It’s a concern: instead of sending your Nav Fees payment to Eurocontrol, you’ve actually sent it to a suburb of Lagos. Read the article.

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LFZZ/France A French national call to strike is planned for 19MAY. Several public service unions have echoed this call, including USAC-CGT for the DGAC. Please check the NOP Portal for the latest advisories.

BIKF/Keflavik Closures here and in BIRD/Reykjavik Oceanic airspace continue due to ATC Industrial action. Plan all flights to or within Icelandic airspace with caution. Iceland strike continues … Read Full Article.

UIBB/Bratsk has multiple new restrictions of ATC hours, RFF categories, and availability as alternate. Check A1923.

PLCH/Christmas Island will not supply JetA1 to non-scheduled flights, shortage until 26MAY. Landing permits are now required at least three days prior, and can be obtained via email at cal02@mcttd.gov.ki.

EGLL/London Heathrow will have an emergency exercise on 21MAY. If you see smoke or fire, it’s most likely from there.

N90/New York Airports The FAA has withdrawn its proposed slot program which was extremely restrictive to non-scheduled operators. The FAA is withdrawing the NPRM to allow for further evaluation of these changes.

KZZZ/United States the FAA has updated it’s list of Critical DME’s. When these critical DME’s are not available, it results in navigation service which is not sufficient for DME/DME/IRU operations along all or portions of a specific route or procedure. This is mainly an issue for Non-GPS equipped aircraft.

CYUL/Montreal has added a new International wing to the terminal as of 12MAY. The 65,620-square-foot expansion includes 8,611 square feet of additional retail space and six new boarding gates.

SOOO/Cayenne FIR issued NOTAM A0141/16 advising that the due to the SOCA CPDLC system trail, datalink connection may be lost. If unable to communicate by CPDLC then they advise to contact SOOO or SOCA VIA normal HF frequencies until 24JUN.

North Atlantic The London Met Office has issued it’s North Atlantic tropical storm seasonal forecast for 2016.

EZZZ/Europe an annual large scale military exercise called “NATO Tiger Meet 2016” will be held from 16MAY to 27MAY in Spain. NOTAMs LE D1109/16 and D1272/16 have been issued along with a map detailing the area.

LOWW/Vienna has introduced 2 new RNP(AR) approaches RNAV (RNP) N RWY 16 and RNAV (RNP) E RWY 16. The Austrian AIS has issued AIC A 5/16 covering the additions.

LKPR/Prague officials stated that they are working to assess the security at LKPR as they begin to implement the government’s security recommendations. The measures, including face recognition technology, should be fully introduced within 12 to 18 months. Security has increased in response to the attacks in Brussels. Heavily armed soldiers continue to patrol LKPR.

Arabian Peninsula on 11MAY the Centre for Disease Control CDC issued an Alert Level 2 for MERS in the Arabian Peninsula.

NZZC/Christchurch FIR has issued NOTAM B2740/16 advising of recent activity for Volcano Mount Ruapehu. No current eruption but concern for increased likelihood of eruption exists.

FHSH/St. Helena has received its certification to begin commercial flight operations. An 1850 meter runway, a 3500 sq m airport terminal and other associated infrastructure, such as access roads, bulk fuel installations, water supplies and aerodrome ground lighting have been installed and are ready for operational use. However – concerns remain about windshear which is currently delaying acceptance of traffic.

HKZZ/Kenya The U.S filed an advisory with IATA stating that Kenyan airspace is unsafe due to a possibility of extremist or militant activity within Kenyan airspace as Al Shabaab has demonstrated the capability and intent to conduct terrorist attacks in Kenya targeting, among others, US/Western interests including aviation interests.

EGPX/Scottish Scottish Control is changing to a new ATC system this week: expect airspace restrictions. ATC advises a fundamental level of change in the method of operation within Scottish Upper Airspace will result. There is no change to the Oceanic Operation, and Domestic CPDLC will be available at all times from 17MAY.

CYMM/Fort McMurray, Canada remains closed due to Forest Fires; only emergency and evacuation flights are allowed.

EHZZ/Amsterdam FIR The Netherlands has revised procedures for obtaining Special Permission for overflying or landing aircraft on delivery, ferry flights, or other circumstances where a normal Certificate of Airworthiness is not in place. Read the article. Questions should be directed to our ferry team at service@fsbureau.org.

View the full International Bulletin 18MAY2016