CP Kolkata
CP Kolkata
CP Kolkata
KOLKATA FIR
Version 2.01
JUNE 2011
PREPARED BY
Page
Foreword 3
Record of Amendments 4
Objective 5
Communication Procedures 13
Signatories
This is the second edition of the Indian Air Traffic Management (ATM) Contingency Plan for Air
Traffic Services (ATS) for the International En-route Flights in Kolkata Flight Information
Region (FIR). The Contingency Plan will come into effect as and when a contingency arise due to
partial or total disruption of Air Traffic Services. The Contingency Plan for Kolkata FIR aims at
advance preparedness and instantaneous response to a contingency arising due to disruption of
Air Traffic Services with an objective of providing safe and orderly passage to the over flying
traffic through Kolkata FIR.
The contingency may arise at any time due to any of the reasons as a result of a Major
Earthquake, Flood, Fire, Bomb Explosion or Terrorist Attack etc. These may cause serious
damage to civil aviation and air navigation services, facilities and infrastructure. With four FIRs
located in Indian airspace, it is considered highly unlikely that all facilities would be out of
service simultaneously. However, in the event that one FIR becomes inoperable, and ATS
becoming unavailable, it would take several days to relocate and operate ATS from the remaining
FIRs and restore a more normal level of service. During this interim period, flight operations in
Kolkata FIR would severely be restricted.
The Plan will be activated by promulgation of a NOTAM issued by the International NOTAM
Office (NOF) of Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata as far in advance as is practicable.
However, when such prior notification is impracticable for any reason, the Plan will be put into
effect on notification by the designated authority, as authorized by the DGCA. It is expected that
the civil aviation authorities concerned and the airline operators will fully cooperate to implement
the Plan as soon as possible.
This Plan has been prepared in coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) to meet the requirements in ICAO Annex 11 ─ Air Traffic Services to provide for the
safe and orderly continuation of international flights through Indian airspace.
1.1 The Air Traffic Management (ATM) Contingency Plan contains arrangements to ensure
the continued safety of air navigation in the event of partial or total disruption of air
traffic services in the Kolkata FIR in accordance with ICAO Annex 11 - Air Traffic
Services, Chapter 2, paragraph 2.30. The Contingency Plan provides the ATS procedures
and contingency route structure using existing airways in most cases that will allow
aircraft operators to transit the Kolkata FIR.
1.2 This Contingency Plan does not address arrangements for aircraft arriving and departing
at airports or for domestic flight operations within the territory of Kolkata FIR.
2.1 In the event that the Chairman, Airports Authority of India activates this Contingency
Plan, the civil aviation authorities of the adjacent FIRs will be notified in accordance with
the Letter of Agreement (LOA) established between the States concerned. The adjacent
States, FIRs and ACCs directly affected by this Contingency Plan are as follows:
• India
o Delhi FIR
o Mumbai FIR
o Chennai FIR
o Varanasi ACC
o Nagpur ACC
• Bangladesh
o Dhaka FIR (ACC)
• Malaysia
o Kuala Lumpur FIR (ACC)
• Myanmar
o Yangon FIR (ACC)
• Bhutan
o Bhutan FIR
• Nepal
o Kathmandu FIR
2.2 The contact details of the civil aviation authorities and organizations concerned are
contained in Appendix A. These details should be kept up to date and relevant
information provided to the AAI as soon as practicable.
3.3 As soon as practicable in advance of, or after a contingency event has occurred, the
Chairman, Airports Authority of India shall convene the Central Coordinating Committee
(CCC) comprised of representatives as notified in Appendix B.
3.4 The CCC shall oversee the conduct of the Contingency Plan and in the event that the
Kolkata ATS premises are out of service for an extended period, make arrangements for
and facilitate the temporary relocation of the Kolkata ACC at Delhi & Chennai ACC and
the restoration of ATS services. The terms of reference for the CCC will be determined
by the Chairman, AAI.
3.5 Contact details of the members of the CCC are provided in Appendix B.
3.6 The ATM Operational Contingency Group (AOCG) will be convened by the CCC with a
primary responsibility to oversee the day to day operations under the contingency
arrangements, and coordinate operational ATS activities, 24 hours a day, throughout the
contingency period. The terms of reference of the AOCG will be determined by the CCC.
The AOCG will include specialized personnel from the following disciplines:
The mission of the AOCG shall include taking the following action:
5.1 During the contingency critical period, ATS including ATC may not be available,
particularly with regard to availability of communications and radar services. In cases
where service are not available, a NOTAM will be issued providing the relevant
information, including an expected date and time of resumption of service. The
contingency plan provides for limited flight information and alerting services to be
provided by adjacent ACCs.
5.2 The Kolkata airspace will be divided into two parts along route P646:
Part I: Portion South of ATS route P646 including ATS route P646 – designated ATS
Authority Chennai.
Part II: Portion North of route P646 excluding ATS route P646 – designated ATS
Authority Delhi.
FIS and flight monitoring will be provided by Chennai and Delhi ATC for the adjacent
FIRs on the contingency routes on the designated air space that enter their respective
FIRs. A chart depicting the airspace arrangement is provided in Appendix E.
ATS Responsibilities
5.4 During the early stages of a contingency event, ATC may be overloaded and tactical
action taken to reroute aircraft on alternative routes not included in this Plan.
5.5 In the event that ATS cannot be provided in the Kolkata FIR a NOTAM shall be issued in
concurrence with AOCG indicating the following:
Aircraft Separation
5.6 In the event that the Kolkata International NOTAM Office is unable to issue the
NOTAM, the (alternate) International NOTAM Office at Delhi or Chennai will take
action to issue the NOTAM of closure airspace upon notification by the Chairman, AAI
CHQ.
5.7 Aircraft separation criteria will be applied in accordance with the Procedures for Air
Navigation Services-Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM, Doc 4444) and the Regional
Supplementary Procedures (Doc 7030).
5.9 The route structure provides for lateral separation of 100 NM and in cases where this is
less, and for crossing routes, a minimum vertical separation of 2000 ft will be applied.
5.10 In the event that Kolkata ATC services are terminated, RVSM operations will be
suspended and 2000 ft vertical separation minimum provided within Kolkata airspace
using the RVSM flight levels contained in the table of cruising levels in ICAO Annex 2,
Appendix 3. Details of the flight level assignment on the contingency routes are
contained in Appendix D.
5.11 Where possible, aircraft on long-haul international flights shall be given priority with
respect to cruising levels.
Airspace Classifications
5.12 If ATC services become unavailable during the interruption of air traffic services, and
depending on the level of service and anticipated outage of facilities, airspace
classifications may be changed to reflect the reduced level of services. Changes to
airspace classification will be notified by NOTAM.
VFR operations
5.14 VFR flights shall not operate in the Kolkata FIR if there are extensive disruptions to ATC
facilities, except in special cases such as State aircraft, Medivac flights, and any other
essential flights authorized by the AAI.
5.15 The ATS units providing ATC services will follow their unit emergency operating
procedures and activate the appropriate level of contingency procedures in line with the
operational Letter of Agreement. These procedures include the following:
a) The Kolkata ACC on determining that ATS may be reduced or may be disrupted due to a
contingency event, will inform pilots about the emergency condition and advise if it is likely
that the ACC will be evacuated and ATS suspended. In the event of it becoming necessary to
evacuate the ACC building, the unit evacuation procedures will be activated, and time
b) During the period the contingency procedures are in effect, flight plan messages must
continue to be transmitted by operators to the Kolkata FIC (VECFZQZX) and to the Delhi,
Mumbai and Chennai FIC/OCC/ACC (VIDFZQZX, VABFZQZX, VOMFZQZX) via the
AFTN using normal procedures;
c) On notification by the Chairman, AAI, the ATS authorities operating the ACCs of the
adjacent FIRs, viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kathmandu, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia
and Bhutan will activate the contingency procedures in accordance with their respective
operational Letter of Agreement;
d) Prior to entry to the Kolkata FIR under the contingency arrangement, authorization must be
obtained by operators to over fly the Kolkata FIR, and ATC approval granted by Delhi ACC,
Chennai OCC and Mumbai OCC as the case may be.
e) The adjacent ACC/ OCC responsible for aircraft entering for transit of the Kolkata FIR must
communicate via ATS coordination circuits, and not less than 30 minutes beforehand, the
estimated time over the reporting point for entry into the Kolkata FIR;
f) The ACC/ OCC responsible for aircraft entering the Kolkata will instruct pilots to maintain
the last flight level assigned and speed (MACH number if applicable) while overflying the
Kolkata FIR;
g) The ACC/ OCC responsible will not authorize any change in flight level or speed (Mach
number, if applicable) later than 10 minutes before the aircraft enters the Kolkata FIR.
h) The ACC/ OCC responsible prior to aircraft entering the Kolkata FIR will inform aircraft that
they must communicate with the next (downstream) ATC unit 10 minutes before the
estimated time of entry into the next FIR; and
i) Operators may also chose to avoid the Kolkata airspace, and the controlling authorities of the
FIRs concerned will provide alternative contingency routes as appropriate and these will be
published by NOTAM.
5.16 Alternate routes outlined in the Contingency Plan would be promulgated by India vide
NOTAM or AIP for familiarization and information to operators. During times of
5.19 The transfer of control and communication would be at the points specified in the Special
LOA/Contingency Plan.
5.20 The ATS providers concerned will review the effectiveness of current coordination
requirements and procedures in light of contingency operations or short notice of airspace
closure, and make any necessary adjustments to the Contingency Plan and LOAs.
6.1 Flight planning requirements for the Kolkata FIR are to be followed in respect to normal
flight planning requirements contained in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP-
India) and as detailed at Appendix G.
6.2 Aircraft operators must obtain over flight approval from the DGCA, India prior to
operating flights through the Kolkata FIR. During the period of activation of this
Contingency Plan, the designated ATS authority will approve aircraft to enter the Kolkata
FIR on the basis that operators have obtained prior approval, and the responsibility
remains with the operator to ensure such approval has been obtained.
6.3 Aircraft over flying the Kolkata FIR shall follow the following procedures:
a) all aircraft proceeding along the ATS routes established in this Contingency Plan will
comply with the instrument flight rules (IFR) and will be assigned a flight level in
accordance with the flight level allocation scheme applicable to the route(s) being flown
as specified in Appendix D;
b) Flights are to flight plan using the Contingency Routes specified in Appendix D,
according to their airport of origin and destination;
6.4 Pilots need to be aware that in light of current international circumstances, a contingency
routing requiring aircraft to operate off normal traffic flows, could result in an intercept
by military aircraft. Aircraft operators must therefore be familiar with international
NOTE: The aircraft operating on Contingency route and prior to entry any ADIZ within
Kolkata FIR shall ensure that ADC Number is obtained.
6.5 The Indian military authority in the interest of national security and safety may intercept
civil aircraft over the territory of India in the event that a flight may not be known to and
identified by the military authority. In such cases, the ICAO intercept procedures
contained in Annex 11, Attachment C (reproduced in Appendix I) will be followed by the
military authority, and pilots are to comply with instructions given by the pilot of the
intercepting aircraft. In such circumstances, the pilot of the aircraft being intercepted
shall broadcast information on the situation.
6.6 If circumstances lead to the closure of the Kolkata airspace and no contingency routes are
available through the Kolkata FIR, aircraft will be required to route around the Kolkata
airspace. As much warning as possible will be provided by the appropriate ATS
authorities in the event of the complete closure of Kolkata airspace.
6.7 Pilots need to continuously guard the VHF emergency frequency 121.5 MHz and should
operate their transponder at all times during flight, regardless of whether the aircraft is
within or outside airspace where secondary surveillance radar (SSR) is used for ATS
purposes. Transponders should be set on a discrete code assigned by ATC or select code
2000 if ATC has not assigned a code.
7 COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES
Degradation of Communication - Pilot Radio Procedures
7.1 When operating within the contingency airspace of the Kolkata FIR, pilots should use
normal radio communication procedures where ATS services are available. These will be
in accordance with the communication procedures in this Plan or as otherwise notified by
NOTAM.
7.2 If communications are lost unexpectedly on the normal ATS frequencies, pilots should
try the next applicable frequency, e.g. if en-route contact is lost then try the next
appropriate frequency, that is, the next normal handover frequency. Pilots should also
consider attempting to contact ATC on the last frequency where two-way communication
had been established. In the absence of any communication with ATC, the pilot should
continue to make routine position reports on the assigned frequency, and also broadcast
positions in accordance with the ICAO TIBA.
Communication frequencies
7.3 A list of frequencies to be used for the contingency routes and the ATS units providing
FIS and air-ground communication monitoring for the Kolkata FIR is detailed at
Appendix F.
8.1 It is not anticipated that there would any major disruption to the NOTAM service for the
Kolkata FIR, as NOTAM services could be readily provided by Chennai/Mumbai/Delhi
AIS.
a) Aerodrome observations and reports – local MET REPORT and SPECIAL, as well as
WMO-coded METAR and SPECI; METAR and SPECI would be provided for all
international aerodromes listed in the AIP India
b) Terminal aerodrome forecast - TAF as per the requirements indicated in AIP India;
c) SIGMET for the Kolkata FIR – Kolkata; SIGMET would be issued by the appropriate
meteorological watch offices (MWO)
d) Information for the ATS units (TWR, APP, ACC) as agreed between the meteorological
authority and the ATS units concerned;
e) Flight briefing and documentation as per Annex 3, Chapter 9.
8.3 It is expected that the India MET services would continue to be available in the event of
an ATS contingency situation. However, should ATS services for the Kolkata FIR be
withdrawn, timely MET information may not be immediately available to pilots in flight.
Alternative means of obtaining up to date MET information concerning the Kolkata FIR
will be provided to the extent possible through the adjacent ATS authorities through
VOLMET Broadcast/making use of communication networks of communication service
providers - SITA.
9.1 ACCs involved in this Contingency Plan are required to assist as necessary to ensure that
the Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities are provided with the information necessary to
support downed aircraft or aircraft with an in-flight emergency in respect to the Kolkata
FIR.
9.2 The SAR authority responsible for the Kolkata FIR is the Kolkata Rescue Coordination
Centre (RCC).
The draft contingency plan for Kolkata FIR in the event of partial or total disruption of Air
Traffic Services in accordance with ICAO Annex 11 – Chapter 2, paragraph 2.30 has been
prepared.
The main objective of the contingency plan is to ensure the continued availability of Air
Navigation using contingency routes and flight level allocation scheme for international over
flights passing through Kolkata FIR. As Delhi and Chennai FIRs are adjacent FIRs to Kolkata
FIR, it is prudent to continue the services through these FIRs instead of handing over airspace to
other than Indian FIRs.
In order to provide such services through Delhi and Chennai FIRs and similar services for Delhi,
Chennai and Mumbai through Kolkata FIR, there is a requirement to establish a contingency
sector at Mumbai /Kolkatta/Delhi ACC respectively.
The following facilities are suggested at the contingency sector for a smooth transition:
Creation of one central network system for Initial Flight Plan Processing (IFPP unit) for all FIRs
would help during such contingency as systems can be put in place to divert processed messages
to designated area control centers.
Special LOAs need to be established between Kolkata and adjacent ATC control centers as
necessary.
CONTACT DETAILS OF ADJACENT STATES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE KOLKATA CONTINGENCY
PLAN WITH ADDRESS TEL NO. FAX. NO. E-MAIL AFTN
9 BHUTAN
Director General of Civil Aviation,
009758271910 009758271909 phaladorji@yahoo.co.uk
Bhutan, Paro International Airport, Paro
10 ICAO
Mr. Mukhtar Awan
+61 2 5378189
Regional Director +61 2 537 8199 icao_apac@bangkok.icao.int
Ext 37
Asia/Pacific Regional Office
SAMPLE NOTAMS
a) Avoidance of airspace
Contingency
ATS Route ACCs Communications
Route
YANGOON HF 10066/6556 VHF 128.75
CHENNAI HF 11285/6655/5670 VHF 119.3
YANGOON/ CHENNAI CPDLC VOMF
CRI 3 L301 CHENNAI/ NAGPUR VHF 133.65/123.9
NAGPUR MUMBAI HF
13288/11300/10018/8879/5658/5634/4675
MUMBAI ADS-CPDLC VABF
YANGOON HF 10066/6556 VHF 126.75
YANGOON/ DHAKA VHF 125.7
CRI 4 / 5 B465 / A791 DHAKA/ VARANASI VHF 118.95/132.4
VARANASI DELHI HF 10018/5658/3467
DELHI ADS-CPDLC VIDF
Airline operators are expected to familiarize themselves with the Regional Contingency Plan as
well as Contingency Plans of Kolkata FIR and the activation times. For aircraft intending to
operate in areas during periods when the contingency plans are activated, the operators shall plan
the flight to conform with the activation times of the Contingency Plans. Airline operators shall
ensure that flights are established on contingency routes prior to entering an area which is under
Contingency Plan procedure. The flight planning requirements during the contingency period will
be in accordance to ICAO Annex 2 Chapter 3 and Doc 4444 Part II. Additional information, will,
however, be required, to indicate that the flight will operate in airspace where the contingency
plan is active. This information is to be indicated in the 'RMK/' field of item 18 of the ICAO
flight plan, for example 'RMK/Contingency routes VECC in the event that Delhi/ Chennai taken
over the air traffic services for Kolkata ACC. (Remarks/aircraft will be operating on contingency
routes in the Kolkata FIR), Repetitive Flight Plans (RPLs / Bulk Stored) will not be accepted
during the time that the contingency plan is activated. Airline operators are required to file
flight plans in accordance with the contingency flight planning procedures. Flight plans
should be filed at least 12 hours in advance in order to allow sufficient time for manual
processing.
-----------------------------
TIBA Procedures
1. Special procedures have been developed for pilot use in active contingency zones if
communications are significantly degraded or unavailable. These TIBA procedures
supersede and take the place of lost communication procedures that are outlined in Annex 2
to the Chicago Convention (Para 3.6.5.2.2 a) and Annex 11, Chapter 4 Section 4.2.2 and
Attachment B and will enable traffic information broadcasts by aircraft (TIBA) to be made
as well as providing collision hazard information. When aircraft will enter designated
airspace in which it is known in advance that normal communication is not available, pilots
should maintain a listening watch on the TIBA frequency 10 minutes prior to entering that
airspace.
Times of Broadcast
b) 10 minutes before entering a designated airspace when it is known in advance that normal
communications will not be available within that airspace or, for a pilot taking off from an
aerodrome located within the lateral limits of the designated airspace, as soon as appropriate
after take-off;
h) At any other time considered necessary by the pilot. Note: Normal position reporting
procedures should be continued at all times, regardless of any action taken to initiate or
acknowledge a traffic information broadcast.
ALL STATIONS (call sign) FLIGHT LEVEL (number) [or CLIMBING TO FLIGHT
LEVEL (number)] (direction) (ATS route) [or DIRECT FROM (position) TO (position)
POSITION] (position) AT (time) ESTIMATING (next reporting point, or the point of
crossing or joining a designated ATS route) AT (time) (call sign) FLIGHT LEVEL
(number) (direction)
Note: For broadcasts made when the aircraft is not near an ATS significant point, the
position should be given as accurately as possible and in any case to the nearest 30
minutes of latitude and longitude.
ALL STATIONS (call sign) (direction) (ATS route) [or DIRECT FROM (position) TO
(position)] LEAVING FLIGHT LEVEL (number) FOR FLIGHT LEVEL (number) AT
(position and time)
c) At the time of a change in flight level: ALL STATIONS (call sign) (direction) (ATS
route) [or DIRECT FROM (position) TO (position)] LEAVING FLIGHT LEVEL
(number) NOW FOR FLIGHT LEVEL (number)
Followed by:
d) When reporting a temporary flight level change to avoid an imminent collision risk: ALL
STATIONS (call sign) LEAVING FLIGHT LEVEL (number) NOW FOR FLIGHT
LEVEL (number)
5. Cruising level changes should not be made within the designated airspace, unless
considered necessary by pilots to avoid traffic conflicts, to climb to minimum en route or
safe altitudes, to overcome operational limitations, to avoid adverse weather, or in
response to an operational emergency.
6. When cruising level changes are unavoidable, all available aircraft lighting which would
improve the visual detection of the aircraft should be displayed while changing levels.
Collision avoidance
7. If, on receipt of traffic information broadcast from another aircraft, a pilot decides that
immediate action is necessary to avoid an imminent collision risk, and this cannot be
achieved in accordance with the right-of-way provisions of Annex 2 to the Chicago
Convention, the pilot should:
B: Display all available aircraft lighting which would improve the visual detection of the
aircraft;
E: As soon as practicable, resume normal flight level, notifying the action on the
appropriate ATS frequency.
Operation of Transponders
Operation of TCAS
10. Specific aircraft may need to be involved in special operations during the period when a
FIR is an activated contingency zone. These aircraft may therefore be unable to utilize
c) Mercy flights and aircraft engaged in search and rescue, medical evacuation, and
coastal surveillance operations.
11. This procedure shall be included in State AIP Supplements or NOTAM on TIBA
procedures and will be cancelled by NOTAM. --------------------------
Article 3 bis*
a) The contracting States recognize that every State must refrain from resorting to the use of
weapons against civil aircraft in flight and that, in case of interception, the lives of persons
on board and the safety of aircraft must not be endangered. This provision shall not be
interpreted as modifying in any way the rights and obligations of States set forth in the
Charter of the United Nations.
3.8 Interception
Note.— The word “interception” in this context does not include intercept and escort service
provided, on request, to an aircraft in distress, in accordance with Volumes II and III of the
International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (Doc 9731).
Note.— Recognizing that it is essential for the safety of flight that any visual signals employed in
the event of an interception which should be undertaken only as a last resort be correctly
employed and understood by civil and military aircraft throughout the world, the Council of the
International Civil Aviation Organization, when adopting the visual signals in Appendix 1 to this
Annex, urged Contracting States to ensure that they be strictly adhered to by their State aircraft.
As interceptions of civil aircraft are, in all cases, potentially hazardous, the Council has also
formulated special recommendations which Contracting States are urged to apply in a uniform
manner. These special recommendations are contained in Attachment A.
3.8.2 The pilot-in-command of a civil aircraft, when intercepted, shall comply with the
Standards in Appendix 2, Sections 2 and 3, interpreting and responding to visual signals as
specified in Appendix 1, Section 2.
b) if undertaken, an interception will be limited to determining the identity of the aircraft, unless
it is necessary to return the aircraft to its planned track, direct it beyond the boundaries of
national airspace, guide it away from a prohibited, restricted or danger area or instruct it to
effect a landing at a designated aerodrome;
e) in the case where an intercepted civil aircraft is required to land in the territory overflown, the
aerodrome designated for the landing is to be suitable for the safe landing of the aircraft type
concerned.
Note.— In the unanimous adoption by the 25th Session (Extraordinary) of the ICAO Assembly
on 10 May 1984 of Article 3 bis to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the
Contracting States have recognized that “every State must refrain from resorting to the use of
weapons against civil aircraft in flight.”
1.2 Contracting States shall publish a standard method that has been established for the
manoeuvring of aircraft intercepting a civil aircraft.
Such method shall be designed to avoid any hazard for the intercepted aircraft. Note.— Special
recommendations regarding a method for the manoeuvring are contained in Attachment A,
Section 3.
1.3 Contracting States shall ensure that provision is made for the use of secondary surveillance
radar, where available, to identify civil aircraft in areas where they may be subject to
interception.
d) if equipped with SSR transponder, select Mode A, Code 7700, unless otherwise instructed by
the appropriate air traffic services unit.
2.2 If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the
intercepting aircraft by visual signals, the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate
clarification while continuing to comply with the visual instructions given by the intercepting
aircraft.
2.3 If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the
intercepting aircraft by radio, the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate clarification while
continuing to comply with the radio instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.