Originally Posted by
aviationflyer16
I've seen some NOTAMs showing the ARFFS category dropping but it only seems to be during curfew hours, or when there is reduced air traffic (like Covid). AusALPA's safety briefing (attached) is suggesting that an A380-800 (a category 10 aircraft) could be taking off/landing while there are only resources available for category 8 aircraft. Has anyone come across this in their paperwork? Is anyone aware of reduced capacity on a permanent basis?
ICAO Annex 14 allows a
temporary downgrade
two categories below the aircraft RFFS category for departure and destination aerodromes. "Temporary" is defined as a period of time not exceeding 72 hours.
ICAO Annex 14 also allows the RFFS category to be
one category below that required for the highest category aircraft where the number of movements of aircraft in the highest category is less than 700 in the busiest consecutive three month period. ERSA currently shows the only Category 10 airport in Australia is SYD. Other capital city airports that have scheduled A380 flights (BNE, MEL, PER) are Category 9.