Section 1 Chapter 13 - Liason With Airport Management

Question 1

What actions should ATC staff take regarding flight prohibitions and assisting H M Customs and Excise officers?

Answer 1

Flight Prohibitions:

• ATC staff have no authorization under ANO Articles to prohibit flight.
• Refer the matter to the Airport Police if there is a need to inspect documents or detain aircraft (Telephone: 4401).

Assisting H M Customs and Excise Officers:

• Afford every assistance to officers.
• Verify the identification of the officer before disclosing any information.

Question 2

What responsibilities and cooperation are required under the Aviation Security Act 1982 at Belfast International Airport?

Answer 2

Responsibilities:

• Belfast International Airport Ltd must ensure departing aircraft are security cleared under the Aviation Security Act 1982 Article 13 and Prevention of Terrorism Act 1984.

Cooperation:

• ATC will cooperate with Belfast International Airport Ltd to help fulfill these security responsibilities, as agreed by the CAA.

Question 3

What are the procedures for detaining an aircraft under the Aviation Security Act 1982 at Belfast International Airport?

Answer 3

Authorisation:

Requests to detain an aircraft should originate from:
* BIAL
* The Police
* The Managing Director
* The Safety and Security Director

Only these officers are regarded as authorized by the Secretary of State.

Circumstances and Procedures:

Aircraft formally detained:

• The Safety and Security Director informs ATC of the detention.
• If the aircraft requests taxi or take-off clearance, ATC declines using the phrase:
• “Your aircraft has been detained pursuant to the Aviation Security Act 1982 by a person authorized by the Secretary of State. I am unable to issue (taxi/take-off) clearance.”

Detaining an aircraft already taxiing or pushed back:

• The Safety and Security Director requests ATC to stop the aircraft.
• ATC notifies the pilot using the phrase:
• “Belfast International Airport Ltd. requires you to return to stand pursuant to the Aviation Security Act 1982. Acknowledge.”
• BIAL provides a written notice to ATC confirming the requirement.
• Detention formalities are then carried out by BIAL.

Aircraft taken off without meeting security requirements:

• Inform the pilot using the phrase:
• “Belfast International Airport Ltd request you be advised that your aircraft did not meet security requirements under the Aviation Security Act 1982. Acknowledge.”
• The pilot decides whether or not to continue the flight.

Reporting:

• If ATC takes action in any of the above circumstances, submit a report on Form CA4114.
• This report may be used in any legal action BIAL may wish to take.

Question 4

What should ATC do when required by Customs or Immigration to communicate with an aircraft?

Answer 4

• ATC will agree on a form of wording similar to the specified phrases under the Aviation Security Act 1982, relevant to the situation as stated by Customs/Immigration authorities.

Question 5

What are the ATC procedures for handling Freezing Orders served on an aircraft?

Answer 5

Accept the Service of the Order:

• Receive the Freezing Order from a solicitor or bailiff.

Inform the Aerodrome Authority:

• Ask the person serving the Order if the Aerodrome Authority has also been served. If not, request them to do so.

Handling Clearance Requests:

• If the aircraft Commander requests clearance, inform them that clearance must be withheld under the terms of the Court Order.

If the Commander Insists on Takeoff:

• Advise them, when traffic permits, that while there are no traffic reasons to restrict takeoff, doing so would breach the Court Order and they will be reported.
• Continue to provide air traffic services as normal, even if the pilot continues the flight.
• NATS has no further obligation to prevent the aircraft from leaving the UK.

Documentation and Notification:

• Record the warning and the Commander’s comments in the ATC Watch Log.
• Notify the Watch Manager.
• The Watch Manager or GM should immediately inform the NATS Legal Team (contact details in RED 7 - Emergency Contact Numbers).
• If verbally informed of an Order but not yet served, request a certified copy and inform the NATS Legal Team.

Incident Reporting:

• Complete a CA4114 incident report and give it to the Watch Manager as soon as possible.