INTERNATIONAL CIVIL

AVIATION
ORGANIZATION
INTERNATIONAL
CIVIL
European
andORGANIZATION
North Atlantic Office
AVIATION

ORGANISATION DE L'AVIATION
CIVILE INTERNATIONALE
ORGANISATION
DE L'AVIATION
Bureau
Europe
et Atlantique Nord
CIVILE
INTERNATIONALE

European and North Atlantic Office

Bureau Europe et Atlantique Nord

ORGANIZACIN DE AVIACIN
CIVIL INTERNACIONAL
ORGANIZACIN
DE AVIACIN
Oficina
y Atlntico Norte
CIVILEuropa
INTERNACIONAL

Oficina Europa y Atlntico Norte

/
3 bis villa Emile Bergerat, 92522 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France

When replying please quote

Reference : EUR/NAT 14-0243.TEC (FOL/CUP)02/04/2014

02 April 2014

Subject

: Safety of civil aircraft operating in the Simferopol Flight Information Region (FIR)

Action
required

: As required in paragraphs 3 and 5

Madam, Sir,
1.
I have the honour to address you as the appropriate State Authority of aircraft operator(s) which
may use the airspace of the Simferopol flight information region (FIR).
2.
Taking into consideration the recent publication by the Russian Federation of a series of notices
to airmen (NOTAMs) modifying the Simferopol FIR which is under the responsibility of Ukraine, and their
intent to provide air traffic services (ATS) within this airspace, I draw your attention to the possible existence of
serious risks to the safety of international civil flights.
3.
Due to the unsafe situation where more than one ATS provider may be controlling flights within
the same airspace from 3 April 2014, 0600 UTC onwards, consideration should be given to measures to avoid
the airspace and circumnavigate the Simferopol FIR with alternative routings.
4.

Alternative routings are available for those operators choosing to avoid the Simferopol FIR.

5.
I would also like to invite the States concerned to assist in the accommodation of the re-routed
traffic to the maximum extent possible, in particular when the alternative routes would impact the overall
capacity of the regional network. In cases where the re-routed flights would have been subject to special
overflight permissions, I would ask for your flexibility to manage these scenarios with special assistance so that
the concerned flights could operate without interruption.
6.
ICAO continues to actively coordinate with all involved authorities, international organizations,
airspace users and other States in the region regarding developments as they unfold, specifically those which
could impact flight safety.
7.

I will notify you of any significant developments.

Accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Luis Fonseca de
Almeida
2014.04.02
16:25:48 +02'00'

Luis Fonseca de Almeida

ICAO Regional Director
Europe and North Atlantic

Distribution: EUR User States and international organisations

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