ICAO CIRCULAR 330 PDF

FOREWORD

There are two major airspace users in the world today — civil and military. The civil aviation sector includes private, commercial and government-owned aircraft that are primarily transporting cargo and passengers, both nationally and internationally. Military aviation comprises State-owned aircraft engaged in transport, training, security and defence. Both aviation sectors are essential to global stability and economies. However, both usually cannot operate simultaneously within the same block of airspace, thus requiring the establishment of boundaries and segregation. States are therefore faced with the challenge of managing their limited airspace in a way that safeguards both civil and military aviation requirements.

In order for international aviation to operate as a safe and harmonious system, States have agreed to collaborate on a common regulatory infrastructure and, among others, have agreed on the air traffic services rendered, which includes the access and use of airspace. The Convention on International Civil Aviation was signed in Chicago in 1944 by 52 States. Pending ratification of the Convention by 26 States, the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO) was established to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world. Distinguishing civil aircraft operations from State aircraft operations was important enough to warrant the creation of Article 3, which excludes State aircraft used in military, customs and police services from ICAO's regulations. ICAO came into being on 4 April 1947 after the 26th ratification was received.

As airspace becomes more of a scarce and sought after resource, States need to take a balanced approach to airspace management in a way that harmonizes and meets the needs of international traffic flows and national security. This requires communication, collaboration and cooperation.

In October 2009, ICAO¹ hosted the Global Air Traffic Management Forum on Civil/Military Cooperation, which was attended by more than four hundred high-ranking civil and military participants from sixty-seven Member States, six air navigation service providers and forty-six industry organizations. Realizing that there was no existing international framework to bring civil and military authorities together, the Forum recommended that ICAO should play a pivotal role in improving the level of cooperation and coordination between civil and military authorities and should serve as the international facilitating platform.

Recognizing that the growing civil air traffic and mission-oriented military air traffic would benefit greatly from a more flexible use of airspace, the Forum recommended that civil and military experts should jointly develop advice and guidance on the best practices for civil/military cooperation.

This circular was prepared by civil and military experts and offers guidance on and examples of successful practices for civil and military cooperation. It acknowledges that successful cooperation requires collaboration that is based on communication, education, a shared relationship and trust.

1. In partnership with the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), International Air Transport Association (IATA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and supported by Air Traffic Control Association, Inc. (ATCA) and Unmanned Vehicle Systems (UVS) International.