The conflict in Yugoslavia has forced Eurocontrol to conduct a major re-organisation of airspace in the region, with large areas of Balkan airspace closed to civil air traffic.
On 24 March, Eurocontrol's Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU), which monitors traffic flows and airspace use in Europe, closed the airspace of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina and Yugoslavia to all civil air traffic. The CFMU has created alternative routes around the conflict area. Air traffic in the region is "greatly affected", says Eurocontrol. While some countries have been able to accommodate the diverted traffic, delays of 30-60min are being experienced in some areas, it adds.
Recent action by the CFMU includes the reduction of the buffer zone between Yugoslav airspace and that of Bulgaria and Romania. The buffer zone, from 75km (40nm) to 18km, has been in place since the beginning of the conflict, to accommodate additional traffic. The buffer zone between the airspace of Yugoslavia and Hungary has been removed. The north-western part of Croatia has been opened up to flight level 150 and Zagreb Airport has re-opened, while civil air traffic can access Skopje Airport in Macedonia via designated air corridors.
In addition, the altitude of restriction placed on Hungarian airspace has been lifted from FL100 to FL150. Airspace over the Adriatic Sea remains closed, while airspace over the Ionian Sea remains closed up to FL100.
Source: Flight International
