Airspace/Airport Summary
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This was formerly presented as Annex A to the Aviation Overviews. It has not been updated since 12 Sept 2003, so treat with caution. Additional information can be obtaioned from RAMCC and UNHAS Iraq (iraq.unhas@wfp.org)
IRAQ AIRSPACE MATTERS
1. Airspace/Airfields. Subject to RAMCC slot approval (see below) there is now a good selection of routes and airfields. However, the non-availability of fuel continues to be a major operating limitation.
• Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The AIP published by RAMCC on their website was updated on 30 Jun 03. It contains much of the information necessary for the conduct of flights in Iraqi airspace but flights should not be planned in to apparently available but hitherto unused airfields without at least a week or so’s planning lead time.
• Entry/Exit Points. Entry/exit points from/to Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria are now available.
• Routings and Flight Levels. We have been pressing for some time now for the airway structure to be modified by the addition of an authorised route between “Goldy” and “Kimbo” in order to shorten the track of aircraft entering from Jordan or Syria to destinations in the North. We have also been pressing for an easing of the restrictive and uneconomical flights levels currently in force. Apparently, these will remain until the ATC radar system becomes more capable.
• Airports. Basrah International, Baghdad International, Bashur Airport, Kirkuk Airport, Erbil Airport, Mosul Airport are all available according to the AIP. However, early experience shows that unless use has already established, use should not be taken for granted. In addition to the RAMCC, other agencies must first be consulted. Thus far, we have used Baghdad, Basrah, Erbil and Mosul. Although not stated in the AIP, 72 hours notice is required for flights in to Mosul. The OCPA has indicated that Kut airport may soon be available for use. UNJLC would be pleased to hear from any agency interested in using this airport; none has done so, so far.
• Interim Ministry of Civil Aviation. OCPA has appointed an interim "Minister of Civil Aviation". Intention is to transfer control of civil aviation to a re-constituted Ministry of Civil Aviation by the end of 2003. Meanwhile, the small team in charge of the Ministry will include representatives from ICAO, the FAA and Iraqi staff. The UNJLC will represent UN air interests through Mr Keith Chapman.
• Landing fees. All genuine humanitarian flights would be exempt from landing fees.
MAIN AIRPORTS
2. The following international airports are open 24 hr with all facilities required to meet the requirements of the UN operation:
• Larnaca
• Damascus Intl
• Amman (Marka Intl Primary use, with Queen Alia as alternate)
• Kuwait Intl
• Dubai Intl
• Tehran (Mehrabad Intl)
OTHER AIRPORTS
3. Furthermore the following airports are available for UN humanitarian flights:
• Jordan, Amman Marka, – this airport is available to handle any aircraft except B-747. Queen Alia Int is able to handle any aircraft. As the facilities at Marka, particularly security, favour the UNHAS operations, it is the selected airport for UNHAS operations.
• Iran, Kermanshah (Shahid Ahsrafi Esfahani), Ahwaz, and Uromiyeh – those airfields are open for any UN aircraft, but a landing permit must be issued by CAA. Clearances are available with assistance from UNJLC and UNDP Tehran. All handling/fuel etc are provided under contract arrangements with Iran Air.
• Turkey, Istanbul, Ankara is open for all traffic as normal. Van and Gaziantep were reopened for Humanitarian Flights after being temporarily closed.
• Syria, Damascus Int and Aleppo Int are available for operations. UNHAS closed its operational office in Damascus 23rd May 03. HADID International Services is now making all the arrangement for Ground Handling Services at Damascus International Airport and obtaining Syrian Airspace over flight clearances for UNHAS flight.(see further details at para 19).
AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT AND CLEARANCES
4. General
• ICAO, in coordination with the National Airspace Authorities, has revised the airway structure to avoid critical areas.
• The previously reported reduction in the schedules operated by international Air Carriers in the region seems to have largely returned to normal.
• Indications that the situation is getting back to normal continue.
• Rumours abound that commercial aviation will be permitted “soon”.
5. Airspace Clearances - Summary
• Once procedures have been arranged by UNJLC in regards to Over Flight and Landing Clearances in the region, clearances for individual flights are obtained by UNHAS.
• A memo containing all procedures and contact numbers etc has been issued by UNJLC and distributed to UNHAS.
6. Cyprus
• Open airspace for all type of flights no special approval required, but aircraft based and operating out of Larnaca must obtain prior approval.
• It had been hoped to shorten flights from Larnaca to Turkey by staging through the UK military base at Akrotiri, Cyprus. UK approved the use of Akrotiri for this purpose, but approval from the Cyprus CAA was not granted.
7. Lebanon
• The need for UNHAS to use Lebanese airspace is limited
• Open Air policy for scheduled flights and non scheduled flights landing in Lebanon
• UNHAS need to give 48 hrs prior notification for over-flights at present time
8. Turkey
• Turkey CAA is granting landing and over flight clearances on flight by flight basis and requires 48 hrs prior notification. UNJLC efforts to obtain blanket clearances and tax exemptions were abandoned with the closure of the UNJLC office in Ankara.
• UNJLC efforts to obtain Tax Exceptions and Blanket clearances came to nothing and will not be pursued as the UNJLC office in Ankara has now closed.
• In general the situation has changed from day to day with regards to Entry / Exit Points and Airways available. Today the only available Exit / Entry Point between Turkey and Iran are DASIS. Operators can obtain the latest news from CAA Ankara or Local handling agents
9. Syria
• UNJLC obtained the extension of the over flight of Syrian Airspace and landing blanket clearance to UNHAS fleet of aircraft until 28 of September 03 (Permission no DGCA 3161). 72 hours prior notification is required before each flight.
• UNJCL obtained Tax Exemptions for all UN and NGOs Humanitarian Flights covering any Landing, Lighting, Parking and Hangar Storage charges according MoT decree 404. For ground handling matters HADID should be contacted.
• On 1st April 03, Syrian Arab Airlines exempted all United Nations Humanitarian Flights from Royalties applied by SAA.
• On 8th June 03, Syrian Arab Airlines extended their previous discount of 25% on equipment and ground handling charges for humanitarian cargos to 50%.
Consignees should contact:
HADID International Service
Ahmad Saleh /Station Manager
Tel: + 963 11 5133333
Fax: + 963 11 5133305
Mobile: 00 963 93 212417
Web: www.hadidis.com
E-mail: ops@hadidis.com
10. Jordan
• General over flight and landing clearance obtained for all UN Humanitarian Flights, Only ATC flight plan is required with notification of UN Call sign. No standard clearance number has been issued.
• Tax exemption on all Jordanian airports obtained by UNJLC.
• The handling agent at Marka has now offered a 30% discount on charges.
11. Israel
• Airspace opened for UN passenger flights between Larnaca and Amman, minimum 24 hrs notification required
• Aircraft is diverted from airway, so there is next to no time difference between the routing trough Israel or Syria going to Jordan
12. Saudi Arabia
• Blanket clearance to overfly Saudi Arabia has now been granted but 7 days lead time is required. UNJLC routinely apply in advance to ensure no limitations.
• Landings are permitted at King Khalid International airport, Riyadh; King Fahd International, Damman; and Arar if the aircraft is compatible and the 7 day notice period is observed.
13. Kuwait
• UNJLC Kuwait has good arrangements and can obtain over-flight and landing clearances on a one day notice, but SLOTs are in use, and must be observed.
14. Dubai
• UNHAS Dubai has obtained exemptions from landing and parking fees. 72 hours notice is required for flight/landing clearances.
15. Iran
• UN aircraft permitted to use the airspace and some designated airfields for humanitarian flights, but 72 hrs prior notification is required.
• It is necessary for flights to arrive at Kermanshah by 1100 hrs local time.
