European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation

Date 14.11.2012

"The nature and scope of the amendment [to flight plan content] is to update the ICAO model flight plan form in order to meet the needs of aircraft with advanced capabilities and the evolving requirements of automated air traffic management (ATM) systems, while taking into account compatibility with existing systems, human factors, training, cost and transition aspects." ICAO State Letter (AN 13/2.1-08/50) – 25 June 2008

The worldwide implementation of ICAO Flight Plan changes take effect this week on 15 November 2012. The amendments to flight plan content go to the very core of flight plan processing.

15 November 2012 is the ultimate deadline: after that date, current or old format flight plan messages will no longer be accepted.

Aircraft Operators were requested to begin filing flight plans in the new format from 12 November onwards, so as to ensure that by 15 November, only new format data are in the systems.

The main changes affect:

  • field 10 in the standard flight plan, the section describing the equipment carried by the aircraft (and its capabilities)
  • the way in which this information is described in field 18
  • the ability to file up to five days in advance of the estimated off-block time (EOBT) using the date of flight (DOF).
  • For the latest operational information, access the Network Operations Portal (NOP) or monitor the latest released Aeronautical Information Messages (AIMs).

Although the changes require system modifications, it is also important to realise that much more information is now needed on the flight’s communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities.

This will have significant impact on anyone who creates or receives flight plan messages: air navigation service providers (ANSPs), aircraft operators, air traffic services reporting offices (AROs) and flight plan service providers.

In preparing the migration to the new format Flight Plan over the last few months, the Network Manager organised a number of validation exercises – more than 600 people took part in them.

It is essential for all those involved in the operational preparation and maintenance of flight plans to have sound knowledge and understanding of these capabilities as well as know about crew qualification, aircraft certification and approvals, etc.