US Aviation Administration re-issues advisory to their Airmen

The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday has re-issued its advisory regarding territory and airspace of Pakistan for its aircraft on the ground and operating at low altitudes, including during the arrival and departure phases of flights, fearing that attacks from militant or extremist groups could happen.

The notice issues to Airmen, called NOTAM, has told that there were various risks to US civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Pakistan. Such notices were issued in the past as well.

The Federal Aviation Administration advised US civil aviation to “exercise caution when operating into, out of, within, or over the territory and airspace of Pakistan.

“With the ongoing presence of extremist/militant elements operating in Pakistan, there is continued risk to US civil aviation from small-arms fire, complex attacks against airports, indirect weapons fire, and anti-aircraft fire, any of which could occur with little or no warning.”

In the latest notice little changes were made from its previous language advising NOTAM to exercise caution during flight operations.

“While, to date, there have been no reports of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) being used against civil aviation in the territory and airspace of Pakistan, some extremist/militant groups operating in Pakistan are suspected of having access to MANPADS. As a result, there is a potential risk for extremists/militants to target civil aviation with MANPADS. Some MANPADS are capable of reaching a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet above ground level,” the notices from last year and the year before said.