FAA issues Pacific airspace advisory due to military activity

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a security advisory warning of a potentially hazardous situation affecting aircraft operating over parts of the Pacific Ocean.

The FAA said in a NOTAM issued on Friday that operators should exercise caution when operating in overwater areas of the Pacific within the Central America Flight Information Region due to military activity and possible interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

The advisory applies to operations at all altitudes, including during overflight as well as arrival and departure phases of flight.

The FAA said the NOTAM is in effect from Jan. 16 through March 17 and applies to air carriers, commercial operators and pilots operating under FAA-issued certificates, with limited exceptions.

Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority said the FAA-issued NOTAM warns of possible GNSS effects during different phases of flight in specific areas identified by the FAA. The agency said Colombian airlines have been informed and are reviewing technical information to adopt preventive or mitigation measures if necessary.

Colombian authorities said no visible effects on air navigation have been identified and that there are no conditions limiting normal air operations within Colombian-managed airspace or along routes used by national airlines.

Mexico’s Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation said the FAA notice is preventive in nature and does not constitute a prohibition. Mexican authorities said there are no operational implications or restrictions for Mexico or for Mexican airlines and operators, noting that the advisory applies exclusively to U.S. civil aviation operators.