AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION PUBLICATION (AIP)

  ARRANGEMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AIRSPACE,

BAGHDAD FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION

BAGHDAD FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR) CONTROL AUTHORITY

1.         The Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) is the Airspace Control Authority (ACA) for Iraq and the Baghdad FIR, effective from 19 March 2003 until further notice.  The procedures for flight operations detailed here are mandatory for all aircraft operators authorized to fly to and from destinations in the Baghdad FIR as well as for approved overflights.  These procedures are designed for the safety of all aircraft flying in the Baghdad FIR, particularly humanitarian aid (HA) flights carried out by the United Nations, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), other International Organizations (IOs), military flights, and authorized civilian flights. 

2.         All aircraft require CFACC approval to land, depart, and overfly Iraq.  Operators of aircraft intending to land at or depart from an Iraqi airport are to contact the Regional Air Movement Control Center (RAMCC) Iraq with their request.  When approved they will be assigned a discrete Mode 3/A code and a slot time.  For slot times, RAMCC Iraq can be contacted via:

3.             Operators of aircraft intending to overfly Iraq are required to contact the Overflights Section of RAMCC for approval.  RAMCC will confirm with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that the operator is on the approved carrier list before notifying the operator of any restrictions and allocating a discrete Mode 3/A code.  RAMCC Overflights Section can be contacted via:

4.         Should discrepancies arise as to whether or not an operator is approved for overflights, the problem is to be resolved directly between the operator and CPA.  RAMCC will not be the arbiter of disagreements.  Other than Basrah International Airport, all Iraqi airports are closed to civil overflight aircraft except in an emergency situation.

RISKS TO FLIGHT AND COMPLIANCE WITH THESE PROCEDURES

5.         All operators are advised that non-military operations could be at significant risk because of ongoing military operations in Iraq.  There are continuing reports of indiscriminate small arms and missile attacks on aircraft operating in Iraq, primarily at low altitudes.  Therefore, operators that undertake flights within the Baghdad FIR shall do so at their own risk.  Compliance with AIP procedures is mandatory; safety of aircraft operating in the Baghdad FIR requires strict adherence to AIP procedures.  Operators should review NOTAMs regularly for any changes that may affect the information contained within this document.   

6.         Failure to comply with the procedures in this AIP may result in interception by armed coalition fighter aircraft.  Aircraft operators must be familiar with, and follow, the international intercept procedures contained in Annex 2, Rules of the Air, to the Chicago Convention, paragraph 3.8 and Appendix 2, Sections 2 and 3.  Pilots are to continuously monitor the VHF emergency frequency (121.5 MHz) and operate their transponder at all times during flight, ensuring that the transponder is set on the correct discrete code assigned by RAMCC.  CFACC reserves the right to deny aircraft with inoperable transponders access to the Baghdad FIR.  Aircraft operating within the Baghdad FIR may also be instructed to deviate from their filed route due to temporary flight restrictions imposed by CFACC.

 OVERFLIGHTS

7.         Only civil operators and state flights formally approved by the CPA will be authorized to overfly Iraqi airspace.  Once approved by the CPA, each civil operator or State authority must obtain an overflight clearance, which requires that a person authorized to commit the operator or State shall sign a Release of Liability (Hold Harmless Agreement) provided by RAMCC.  The Hold Harmless Agreement stipulates that the operator or State agrees that entry of its aircraft into Iraqi airspace shall be at the operator’s or State’s own risk.  The AIP, Release of Liability Form and Overflight Request Form can be found on the RAMCC web site at www.centaf.af.mil/ramcc.  The Release of Liability form shall be valid for one year from date of signature.  Overflights of Iraq must be conducted above FL200, except for flights departing from adjacent countries whose climb performance will not permit operation above FL200 prior to entering the Baghdad FIR, subject to the approval of and in accordance with the conditions established in this AIP.

SEPARATION

16.    RNP 5 Requirements. There may not be sufficient numbers of ground-based navigation aids (NAVAIDS) suitable for RNAV or Inertial Navigation System updating along the routes to be flown, i.e. VOR or DME. Therefore, operators whose aircraft navigation systems depend upon ground-based NAVAID updating to meet RNP 5 criteria shall conduct an analysis of the routes to be flown to ensure suitable NAVAID reception.

TRANSPONDER CODES

17.    All aircraft operating in the Baghdad FIR shall be equipped with a serviceable transponder. ATC will confirm verbally with adjacent countries that all aircraft are squawking the assigned RAMCC discrete Mode3/A code prior to entering Iraqi airspace. ATC will also confirm that aircraft are squawking the assigned code prior to departure from an Iraqi airport. CFACC reserves the right to deny aircraft with inoperable transponders access to the Baghdad FIR. Aircraft experiencing an in-flight failure of Mode 3/A while in the Baghdad FIR will, under normal circumstances and with CFACC approval, be allowed to continue the flight within the Baghdad FIR.

NOTAM INFORMATION

18.    Operators are to check all current NOTAMs issued by the ACA regarding flight operations in the Baghdad FIR (ICAO code ORBB). Iraq Class A NOTAMS will be issued and tracked by the U.S. NOTAM Office via input from the DoD NOTAMs Division (Ramstein AB and Herndon, VA office) for ICAO processing, until such time as the Baghdad NOTAM system is operating. Baghdad International, Basrah International, Kirkuk, Tallil and Al Asad airports will also publish NOTAMs through the U.S. NOTAMS Office via the DoD NOTAM Division. Civil and military coalition aircrews must obtain NOTAM information via established airlines’ or nations’ procedures for NOTAM retrieval. NOTAMs can also be viewed at the following website: www.notams.jcs.mil.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

19.    Terminal Area Forecasts will be available to aircraft operators at the following airports; Basrah International, Baghdad International, Kirkuk and Tallil. Currently, there are no procedures for transmitting VOLMETs or a system for issuing SIGMETs. Weather information is obtained from Shaw AFB, USA and details can be viewed at the following website: https://weather.afwa.af.mil.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

20.    There are four Letters of Agreement (LOAs) between Iraq and adjacent countries – Turkey, Jordan, Syria and Kuwait. These LOA’s authorize RAMCC/CPA approved aircraft to travel between said countries (through Iraq) in accordance with agreed procedures. There is no agreement for aircraft to travel to/from Iran or Saudi Arabia. Changes to this situation will be promulgated through a revised AIP. The pertinent points from each LOA are listed below. Note: All LOA flight levels stipulated in paragraphs 21 - 24 will be assigned by ATC to provide a minimum of 2000 ft vertical separation between aircraft operating above FL 290.

FLIGHT RULES

25.    Within Class A airspace (i.e. above FL 220) all aircraft will fly Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and be in two-way communication with ATC at all times, unless the airspace is an Airspace Control Measure (ACM) or has been temporarily handed to a Military Reporting Unit (MRU). While Visual Flight Rules (VFR) are acceptable in Class B (above 12,000 ft, up to and including FL 220) and Class G (SFC up to 12,000 ft outside of Class E), military aircraft may only cross the designated ATS route structure at the transit levels of FL 200-210 or FL290-300 subject to prior coordination between ATC and MRUs. In airspace where VFR flight is approved, flights should be carried out in accordance with VFR as specified in ICAO Annexes 2 and 11. Compliance with these procedures does not relieve pilots of their responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft, or to maintain safe terrain/obstacle clearance at all times.

26.    The following standard definitions shall apply in Iraqi airspace:

27.    The altimeter pressure setting at and above the transition level is the standard altimeter pressure setting of 29.92 inches or 1013 millibars. For flights below the transition level, QNH altimeter setting (altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground) shall be used. Transition altitude and transition level is established in Iraqi airspace as follows:

28.    Provision of Altimeter Setting Information. ATC Units will have QNH reports, or forecast pressures, available for transmission to aircraft on request, both for their own and adjacent areas of responsibility. Pilots will be provided with the transition level, over the frequency, prior to reaching it during descent. The QNH altimeter setting will be included in a descent clearance to an altitude below the transition level, in approach clearances or clearances to enter the traffic pattern, and in taxi clearances for departing aircraft. Pressure settings can be obtained from the following website: https://weather.afwa.af.mil.

29.    While passing through the transition layer, vertical position shall be expressed in terms of flight levels when climbing and in terms of altitudes when descending.
                    

AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION

30.    All pre-existing airways in Iraq have been cancelled except for those described later in this document. Overflight aircraft will remain on the ATS route structure unless deviation is required by CFACC – no requests for off-route are to be made. Civil aircraft are to operate under IFR when flying in Class A and B airspace and may elect to request IFR services when in other airspace classifications. Coalition aircraft are to operate under IFR in Class A, unless the exemptions at paragraph 32 apply, and may request IFR pickup in any class of airspace. It is mandatory for all military aircraft, in any type of airspace, to comply with CFACC transponder

31.    The Baghdad FIR is classified into Class A, B, D, E and G airspace. A diagram of the airspace structure is at Appendix C. Appropriate air traffic services are provided in all controlled airspace, by the controlling ATC facility, or MRU, based on non-radar procedures supplemented by radar where possible. A diagram of the divisions of responsibility between ATC facilities is at Appendix D.

32.    Class A. Class A airspace is established for all airspace in the Baghdad FIR above FL 220. To operate in Class A, all aircraft must have a serviceable Mode 3A/C transponder, squawk the assigned code and maintain two-way radio communications with ATC unless the airspace is an ACM or has been tactically handed to a MRU. Military aircraft may only cross the designated ATS route structure at the transit levels of FL 290-300 subject to prior coordination between ATC and MRUs. Other crossing levels may be approved, subject to the air traffic situation at the time.

33.    Class B. Class B airspace is established above 12, 000ft MSL up to and including FL 220. To operate in Class B, all aircraft must have a serviceable Mode 3A/C transponder, squawk the assigned code and maintain two-way radio communications with ATC or a MRU. All operations within Class B will be under the control of military air traffic control or MRU; however, VFR flight is approved for coalition aircraft if necessity dictates. Military aircraft may only cross the designated ATS route structure at the transit levels of FL 200-210 subject to prior coordination between ATC and MRUs. Other crossing levels may be approved, subject to the air traffic situation at the time.

34.    Class D. Class D airspace is established in conjunction with airports that have operating control towers. Class D airspace is a 5NM radius from the geographical center of the airport, up to, but not including, 3,000 ft AGL. To operate in Class D, all aircraft must have a serviceable Mode 3A/C transponder, squawk the assigned code and maintain two-way radio communications with ATC. Aircraft may not enter Class D airspace without first obtaining permission from the controlling ATC facility.

35.    Class E. Class E airspace is established at Baghdad International, Basrah International, Tallil, Kirkuk and Al Asad airports to afford added protection to aircraft landing and departing. To operate in Class E, all aircraft must have a serviceable Mode 3A/C transponder and squawk the assigned code, and all aircraft must maintain two-way radio communications with ATC. Inbound aircraft to these airports must be in two-way radio contact with the appropriate ATC facility before entering the Class E airspace. The Class E dimensions are as follows:

                      
AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION

38.    Until sufficient ground based VORs are operational, latitude/longitude coordinates will define ATS routes. Each route has a width of 6NM either side of centerline. VORs in adjacent countries may be used to support RNP 5 where applicable. NOTAMs will be used to inform operators of any new routes becoming available.

Notes:

Basrah International Airport has an en route VOR (BSR 30 31.43N 047 41.20E) with a range of 200 NM. It operates on 112.3 MHz, Channel 70X and is flight checked to the appropriate approach and enroute minima.
   
Baghdad International Airport has a terminal VOR (BGD 33 15.63N 044 14.96E) and an associated TACAN (33.15.52N 044.15.04E) with a range of 80 NM. The VOR operates on 110.6MHz and civil operators can interrogate the TACAN either individually on Channel 108X or on the paired frequency 116.1MHz. These facilities are flight checked for military and civil enroute use but only military terminal approaches.
                                                                

39.    ATS Route Descriptions:

MANDATORY ROUTING

40.    Aircraft operators intending to land in Iraq are to flight plan to and from the airports via the following mandatory routes. All aircraft shall navigate on the route centerline. No deviations will be made without the prior approval of the controlling ATC facility. The current and prospective mandatory routings to approved airports are as follows:
               

EMERGENCIES AND SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR)

47.    Use of any altitude other than that assigned by the controlling ATC facility is prohibited unless an aircraft is experiencing an emergency. When handling an emergency aircraft, ATC will assist in any way possible to aid a safe and expeditious landing/routing. Subject to any overriding military constraints, any suitable diversion airport will be offered. Should a Mode 3/A 7500 squawk be observed (indicating unlawful interference) the destination airport should, where possible, be decided by CFACC. Operators should be aware that there is a limited SAR capability within Iraq.

****CAUTION: Northern Iraq is mountainous terrain with peaks over 11,500 ft MSL. ****

COMMUNICATIONS

48.    The communications procedures are as follows:

Note: Radio coverage in Iraq is extremely limited at the extremities of all air routes. In particular, eastbound flights should not expect radio contact with Baghdad ACC until passing GOLDY or SURAT and northbound flights should not expect radio contact with Tallil ACC until approaching BASRAH.
                                

TERMINAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

49.    Terminal ATC is provided by military air traffic controllers at Baghdad International, Basrah International, Tallil, and Kirkuk airports. Radio contact with ATC on the designated frequency is mandatory within the terminal airspace. If unable to maintain contact with Approach Control, or in case of communications failure, arrivals shall attempt to contact Tower prior to entering Class D airspace. For departures, ATC should be contacted on start-up, but no later than 10 minutes before EDT. Departing aircraft shall squawk the appropriate Mode 3/A prior to departure. For airports without an approach control service, contact either Kirkuk
(Freedom) Control on 126.3 MHz or 237.3 MHz; Baghdad Control 122.9 MHz or 274.57 MHz, or Tallil Control on 119.25 MHz or 322.05 MHz as soon as possible. Further airport information is available through NOTAMs and Flight Information Publications.

ATC FREQUENCIES

                              
AIRPORT INFORMATION

50.    BASRAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - ORMM

51.    BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT -ORBI

52.    BASHUR AIRPORT - ORBR

53.    KIRKUK AIRPORT - ORKK

53.    ERBIL  AIRPORT - ORER

53.    MOSUL AIRPORT - ORBM

A            Approved Routes and Ingress/Egress Points for the Baghdad FIR.

B            ATS Route Structure in the Baghdad Central Area

C            Classifications of Airspace in the Baghdad FIR

D            Division of Responsibility between ATC Facilities