Contact

Post:Aeronautical Information Management
General Civil Aviation Authority
P.O. Box 666
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Tel:+971 2 599 6895
Fax:+971 2 599 6889
AFS:OMAEYOYX
Email:aim@szc.gcaa.ae
URL:www.gcaa.gov.ae

Aeronautical Information Circular - United Arab Emirates

General Civil Aviation Authority

AIC

A 03/2023

UFN

Published on 18 MAY 2023

EMERGENCY SECURITY CONTROL OF AIR TRAFFIC (ESCAT)

INTRODUCTION

This AIC provides guidance for operating civil aircraft in an area with an air defense activation. It is applicable to traffic operating within Emirates FIR in a defense area, where the traffic must comply with special security instructions issued by the applicable ATC unit in contact with the aircraft in the interest of national security.

The procedures may be implemented to identify and control air traffic within a specified air defense area in the event of emergency conditions.

When air defense emergency conditions prompt implementation of ESCAT, flights will be required to comply with any airspace and/or flight restrictions that may be issued in support of National Defense.

Description of ESCAT

ESCAT is an emergency preparedness plan that prescribes the joint action to be taken by UAE Military/local ATC Units in the interest of national security to control air traffic under emergency conditions.

For purposes of this AIC, the ESCAT plan:

  1. Establishes responsibilities, procedures, and instructions for the security control of civil and military air traffic in order to provide effective use of airspace under various emergency conditions.
  2. Applies to all UAE territorial airspace and other international airspace which Emirates ACC has air traffic control (ATC) jurisdiction by international agreement.
  3. Defines the authorities, and procedures to identify and control air traffic within a specified air defense area in the event of emergency conditions.
  4. UAE Military will direct the action to be taken in regard to landing, grounding, diversion, or dispersal of aircraft in the defense of the UAE during emergency conditions.

Civil Aviation affect during ESCAT

  1. During ESCAT implementation, special security instructions may be issued.
  2. At the time a portion or all of ESCAT is implemented, ATC facilities will broadcast appropriate instructions over available ATC frequencies. Depending on instructions received, VFR flights may be directed to land at the nearest available airport or landing area and IFR flights will be expected to proceed as directed by ATC.
  3. Pilots on the ground may be required to obtain an approval prior to conducting flight operation.
  4. Special requirements will be considered for organized civil defense and other essential civil air operations so that maximum use of these flights, consistent with air defense requirements, will be made when ESCAT is in effect.
  5. Flight operations vital to national defense and national security, as determined by UAE Military will be given priority over all other military and civil aircraft.
  6. Emirates ACC will approve/reject a flight plan dependent on current and forecasted military operations within the area.
  7. When conducting flights in an area where a temporary flight restriction apply, pilot should check appropriate NOTAMs during flight planning. In addition, NOTAMs may be issued that temporarily prohibit flight operations.
  8. Flight plan must contain in item 18 the status of the flight (MEDEVAC, FFR, HOSP, HUM, SAR)

Temporary flight restrictions

NOTAM will be issued designating an area within which temporary flight restrictions apply and specifying the hazard or condition requiring their imposition, whenever determined it is necessary in order to:

  1. Protect persons and property on the surface or in the air from a hazard associated with an incident on the surface;
  2. Provide a safe environment for the operations of aircraft; or
  3. Prevent an unsafe congestion of sightseeing and other aircraft above an incident or event which may generate a high degree of public interest.

When a NOTAM has been issued, no traffic may operate within the designated area unless at least one of the following conditions are met:

  1. The aircraft is participating in activities under the direction of the official in charge of the emergency response activities.
  2. The aircraft is operating under the ATC approved IFR flight plan.
  3. The operation is conducted directly to or from an airport within the area, or is necessitated by the impracticability of VFR flight above or around the area due to weather, or terrain.

Flight plans filed and notifications made with ANSP or ATC facility under this section shall include the following information:

  1. Aircraft identification, type and color.
  2. Radio communications frequencies to be used.
  3. Proposed times of entry of, and exit from, the designated area.
  4. Name and the purpose of flight.
  5. Any other information requested by ATC.

For any queries/clarifications, contact: SATCS@szc.gcaa.ae