ICAO has decided to explore how Notam system can be used to share urgent, critical conflict zone info
picture for representational purpose
Chennai: To mitigate the risks to passengers and crew arising out of flying in conflict zones, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has planned to utilise the Notice to Airmen (Notam) facility to update on such critical information, while it is also working on a centralised system for the future. After a second two-day meeting in as many weeks of the Task Force on Risks to Civil Aviation arising from Conflict Zones (TF RCZ) on Tuesday, ICAO has decided to explore how the Notam system already in place between states and operators could be better used to share urgent and critical conflict zone information.
It has also been decided to work on a new centralised system to be established for the prompt sharing of conflict zone risk information. “These recommendations will ensure the safety of passengers and crew, no matter what airline they are flying on or where they are flying,” said TF RCZ chairman David McMillan. The meet was convened on an emergency basis in the aftermath of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
Welcoming ICAO’s move, a senior pilot said that the Notams are a useful method of information to the pilots. “It helps in informing the crew about any change of route, availability of airspace or Navaids or change in aerodrome Instrument Approach Letdown (IAL) procedures other than published,” he added. “The information pertaining to that route flown are available by the click of a button to a flight despatcher who in turn briefs the pilot,” the pilot said.
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