EMERGENCY SECURITY CONTROL OF AIR TRAFFIC (ESCAT)
DOHA FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR)
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 This Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) provides information on the implementation of Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) procedures within the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR).
1.2 ESCAT procedures may be implemented in response to national or regional security requirements, emergency situations, or other exceptional circumstances that necessitate the temporary control, restriction, or suspension of air traffic operations.
2 DESCRIPTION OF ESCAT
2.1 ESCAT is a contingency measure that enables the competent national authorities to exercise temporary security control over civil air traffic within all or part of the Doha FIR.
2.2 ESCAT measures may include, but are not limited to:
- Control, restriction, rerouting, or suspension of air traffic.
- Establishment of temporary restricted or prohibited areas.
- Enhanced ATC control and coordination measures.
2.3 ESCAT is implemented by the competent national authority, in coordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and the designated Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP).
3 PURPOSE OF ESCAT
3.1 ESCAT may be implemented for the following purposes:
- Protection of national security and public safety.
- Response to emergencies or crisis situations.
- Prevention or mitigation of airborne threats.
- Support of national defence or security operations.
- Protection of critical infrastructure or special events.
4 CIVIL AVIATION AFFECTED DURING ESCAT
4.1 When ESCAT is in force, the following measures may be applied as necessary:
- Restriction or suspension of VFR operations.
- Limitation, rerouting, or suspension of IFR flights.
- Closure of specific airspace volumes, sectors, or aerodromes.
- Mandatory compliance with ATC instructions without deviation.
- Suspension of non-essential general aviation activities.
- Implementation of additional ATC contingency procedures.
4.2 All aircraft operating within the Doha FIR during ESCAT shall strictly comply with ATC instructions and any restrictions promulgated by NOTAM.
5 TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS (TFR)
5.1 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may be established during ESCAT. These may include:
- Prohibited or restricted airspace areas.
- Vertical and lateral airspace limits.
- Time-based operational restrictions.
- Enhanced surveillance and monitoring requirements.
- Details of all restrictions shall be promulgated via NOTAM and other appropriate aeronautical information publications.
6 ATC PROCEDURES DURING ESCAT
6.1 During ESCAT implementation:
- ATC instructions shall be issued in accordance with contingency procedures.
- ATC instructions shall take precedence over filed flight plans when required.
- Continuous two-way radio communication shall be maintained.
- All ATS units in DOHA FIR shall broadcast on all available frequencies that, "ESCAT RULES ARE NOW IN FORCE, ALL AIRCRAFT STANDBY FOR ESCAT INSTRUCTIONS", the appropriate ATS unit shall relay specific ESCAT instructions to each aircraft.
- At the same time, using all available means, voice circuits, aircraft relay, ATIS, etc.
7 PILOT RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1 Pilots operating within the Doha FIR during ESCAT shall:
- Monitor assigned ATC frequencies continuously.
- Comply immediately with ATC instructions (including but not limited to level, route changes etc.).
- Avoid restricted or prohibited airspace.
- Avoid unnecessary radio transmissions.
- Any inability to comply with ATC instructions shall be immediately reported.
8 TERMINATION OF ESCAT
8.1 ESCAT measures shall be terminated once the security or emergency situation has been resolved. The resumption of normal operations shall be promulgated through NOTAM or other official aeronautical publications.
