Damascus FIR

[silverknapper]

Hi

Apologies if this is a duplicate. I have searched but to no avail.

http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ifim/us_restrictions/media/SL_13-25-Safety_Civil_Aircraft_in_Damascus_FIR.pdf

This just came to my attention. We flew through the FIR two weeks ago, no issues.

Are any operators now giving it a wide berth? Or is it mainly concerned with lower levels rather than en route stuff to the East.

[raraa]

we avoid that place like the plague presently, because of some scud sightings, high-level upto fl 500 was reported.

We do OJAM-OLBA as a flight with block of 2:00 hours instead of previously 1 hour.

The only airline presently using damascus FIR continuously is Middle-East

[Gulfstreamaviator]

We also take the long way round, have done for over one month.

Glf

[angels]

Speaking purely as SLF, surely not entering Damascus FIR is the only option?

Scuds are being fired, there is significant air activity involving Migs that are bombed up. They, and choppers, are occasionally being shot down by SAMs. There is shaky mobile footage of a landing plane at Damascus (I think) sustaining what seems to be an RPG hit.

I would have thought that anyone with any sense would stay well clear!

[SMT Member]

This snapshot of traffic as of a minute ago, seems to suggest most are taking the sensible option.

http://i45.tinypic.com/bi2gz6.jpg

[fox niner]

on april third early in the morning I heard a malaysian MH flight check in for nicosia and ercan. We were flying there as well at around 0200Z. It entered that fir from damascus fir apparently, via latakia.