FATA comments regarding EASA Safety Information Bulletin

As it is known, EASA is an agency of the European Union responsible for ensuring flight safety of EU air carries and not for publishing politically biased announcements that bear no relation to this organization.

Since last October, EASA has been systematically misinforming the EU aviation authorities and airlines about the situation with the air traffic management in Simferopol Flight Information Region (Simferopol FIR). In its Bulletin EASA invites the EU airlines and their passengers to operate uncoordinated flights at their own risk. A very puzzling position for an agency that deals with flight safety.

EASA invites European airlines to consider the use of ATS routes L851 and M856 under control provided by Ukrainian ATS unit. At the same time, these routes are known to be located within Simferopol FIR area of responsibility where control is provided by Russian air traffic controllers from Crimean branch of FSUE «State ATM Corporation» of the Russian Federation. The branch with its state-of-the-art equipment and experienced personnel provides air traffic services to the highest international standards. The Russian side did not approve the EASA Bulletin, and has no intentions to delegate responsibilities for air traffic services within Simferopol FIR to Ukrainian air traffic controllers.

Making a statement about two allegedly safe routes, EASA makes no secret of its cynical attempt to ensure revenues for Ukrainian Air Navigation Services Provider even compromising flight safety and contravening ICAO decisions. In particular, EASA statement contradicts ICAO decision concerning establishment of the Black Sea Task Force (BSTF) aimed at implementation of coordination mechanism and finding operational and technical solutions to normalize safe international flight operations in the High Seas airspace over the Black Sea within Simferopol FIR. The Task Force composed of the Black Sea region States will commence its work in March 2016. The participation of EASA in the work of the Task Force is not envisaged.

The Russian Federation urges to proceed from ICAO Assembly Resolution А38-12, Appendix G, which stipulates that “the limits of ATS airspaces, whether over States’ territories or over the High Seas, shall be established on the basis of technical and operational considerations with the aim of ensuring safety and optimizing efficiency … for both providers and users of the services”.

It is obvious that EASA recommendation is a purely politically motivated decision, which does not reflect the actual technical capabilities of Ukrainian ATC centres and jeopardizes flight safety in the region. Politically motivated decisions must not substitute flight safety principles.

Taking into account ICAO recommendations, the Russian Federation is convinced that for the benefits of international civil aviation all parties should follow the approach based merely on technical capabilities and resources excluding political aspects and specific economic interests to ensure safe and efficient air navigation services provision in certain segments of the international airspace. The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) of the Russian Federation calls for EASA to avoid hurried decisions and wishful thinking.

Source: http://www.favt.ru/novosti-novosti/?id=2426

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