Having spoken to a couple of ATCO's who work these sectors, I wonder what the comment
he
decided to declare an emergency for an approach to
his primary destination. This was in accordance with
his company procedures but a ‘Pan’ call, rather than a
‘Mayday’ would have been more appropriate.
from AAIB, means to you guys...the impression given to me was that in the instance of a fuel shortage, all a PAN will do is let the controller know that it is a matter of urgency..and that declaring a MAYDAY was their preferred response as it gives no room for ambiguity.
Avianca springs to mind in the sense that when we are short of a bit of fuel...I'm certain I would want to convey that message in as a concise and recognised way possible.