Crew onboard a Cathay Pacific flight witnessed the re-entry of North Korea’s latest missile near their position late last week. The CX893 service from San Francisco to Hong Kong on Nov 29 was over Japan at the time when North Korea launched its missile.

The crew reported: “Be advised, we witnessed the DPRK missile blow up and fall apart near our current location.”

Here’s Cathay Pacific’s full statement:

“On 29 November, the flight crew of CX893 reported a sighting of what is suspected to be the re-entry of the recent DPRK test missile. Though the flight was far from the event location, the crew advised Japan ATC according to procedures. Operation remained normal and was not affected. We have been in contact with relevant authorities and industry bodies as well as with other carriers. At the moment, no one is changing any routes or operating parameters. We remain alert and review the situation as it evolves."

North Korea’s missiles are larger, and can fly further, than the other missiles we’ve previously seen. Over the past year, most of these missiles land in the Sea of Japan, well inside the Fukuoka Flight Information Region (Japanese airspace). But as we see with this latest test, there is clearly a danger of some of these missiles not re-entering the atmosphere intact – meaning that a debris field of missile fragments passes through the airspace, not just one complete missile. If you haven’t done so already, make sure you read this: our article on why North Korean missiles are now a real threat to Civil Aviation.

This latest test is also significant because of its unprecedented altitude – 4500km (2800 miles). Experts seem to agree that if it had been fired on a standard trajectory, the missile would have been capable of traveling around 13000km (8100 miles), meaning it could have struck anywhere in the mainland US.

If you’re operating in the region, we recommend avoiding the ZKKP/Pyongyang FIR entirely and avoiding the affected areas over the Sea of Japan. For more info, check out Safeairspace.

In the past, when the DPRK (North Korea) has planned a missile launch, airlines and aircraft operators have, as a rule, been informed of the details through a warning from the DPRK to ICAO. Of concern to airspace users now, is the fact that the most recent launches this month were not notified in advance.

The two most common airways through DPRK airspace, G711 and B467, as depicted on the chart below, are in regular use by International Operators.  The increased frequency of ballistic launches of late, coupled with the failure to notify, has created heightened concern.

Further, GPS signal jamming close to the South Korean border, has led to over 1000 individual reports from operators in 14 different countries since May.

A number of airlines and operators have already made a blanket decision not to enter the Pyongyang FIR, even for that overwater portion on G711 and B467.

MHTG ‘Interesting Approaches’ to end 06APR MHTG/Tegucigalpa Dangerous approaches at MHTG will be consigned to history, as a new airport was finally confirmed at the weekend by the Honduran government. Read the full article.

Greeks or Italians? ATC strikes this week 06APR There will be an ATC strike this week in Europe, maybe by Greece, maybe by Italy, maybe by both. These strikes are often cancelled shortly before starting, but at this pre-planning stage, it seems likely to go ahead. Read the full article.

 

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EBBR/Brussels has now reopened but operations are still very restricted. The airport is not expected to be fully operational until June or July by current estimates. The airport authority has instituted new security measures that include a requirement for passengers to arrive 3 hours prior to their departure time. The terminal is still closed to busses and trains. Slots must still be requested from the Brussels Airport Authority if you intend to operate in or out of EBBR.

ZKPY/Pyongyang FIR Many reports that North Korea is jamming GPS signals, also reported by South Korea RKRR NOTAM A0450/16. Signals have been reported as unreliable or lost when operating in or near to North Korean airspace. Exercise caution if you rely on GPS in those areas. Read our DPRK Overflight Risk article from a few weeks ago.

LIZZ/Italy Eurocontrol has confirmed an Italian ATC strike is set for April 9th. NOTAMS A2062/16A2 and A2063/16A2 have been issued covering the proposed strike.

MHTG/Tegucigalpa Dangerous approaches at MHTG will be consigned to history, as a new airport was finally confirmed at the weekend by the Honduran government. Full article here.

LFXX/France an Operational Trial of CPDLC Services in French Airspace of Reims (LFEE), Paris (LFFF) and Marseille (LFMM) ACC will be in effect from 05APR to 11APR.

EZZZ/Europe The U.S. State Department along with numerous other countries have issued a Europe wide travel warning in response to the attack in Brussels. While extra vigilance should be exercised it is also a very generic response to a threat that has yet to be fully understood from a commercial aviation perspective. If you would like to be kept up to date on specific travel alerts from the U.S. State Department you can sign up through their STEP program.

EHAM/Amsterdam reports of near misses with drones have recently been reported by crews. The location of the near misses was on the approach path but no specific runway was mentioned.

KEWR/Newark The FAA will be increasing the number of available slots to EWR, available at the end of October. The change is in response to the improved efficiency of the airport and the ability to increase the ATC arrival rate.

FAA/United States has issued Advisory Circular 00-30C. It describes the various types of CAT (Clear Air Turbulence) along with avoidance techniques and possible future forecast systems for helping Dispatchers and Pilots in the planning stages.

KZZZ/USA Check your passport! Effective 01APR16, if you’re travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you will also need to have a valid e-Passport along with your ESTA.

CZVR/Vancouver ACC will begin to use ADS-C on 18APR In their Oceanic sectors, for both alerting service (SAR) and improved ATC separation purposes.

UDDD/Yerevan FIR Due to Air Defence activity ATC route segments with Yerevan FIR
Crossing FIR boundary points MATAL, ELSIV, PEMAN and VETEN between Yerevan FIR and Baku FIR are not available.

UBBA/Baku FIR Entry/Exit points VETEN, PEMAN, ELSIV, MATAL are closed.
Baku FIR Entry/Exit points BARAD, DISKA closed from GND to FL305. NOTAMS A0030/16 and A0032/16 have been issued as well.

UHSS/Yuzhno will be closed daily 10APR-14MAY between the hours of 12-21Z.

OMZZ/United Arab Emirates will begin charging a $9.50 USD Passenger Tax effective 30JUN, to be imposed on all travellers over the age of 2 through all airports including those only transiting the UAE. A driving factor in this new charge appears to be low oil prices affecting the Gulf States.

UUZZ/Russia has stated that aviation authorities are intensifying its ramp inspections of all aircraft (especially foreign aircraft, we guess) in the wake of the Rostov accident.

FZZZ/Nigeria The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has stated that steps are currently being taken to end the countries fuel shortage, but may take upwards of 2 months. We suggest to check with local handlers for the availability aviation fuel supply until the issue is resolved.

VNKT/Kathmandu We have received some reports that VNKT ATC weather reports are inaccurate, especially regarding visibility. Any feedback please let us know.

VIAR/Amritsar has suspended all night operations for 1 year due to the planned reconstruction of the airports runways.

View the full International Bulletin for 06APR2016