PH pilots warned to avoid portion of airspace due to China rocket launch

THE CIVIL Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Saturday issued an advisory for pilots to avoid a portion of the airspace due to China’s launch of its Long March-7 rocket.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the notice to airmen (Notam) covering Philippine airspace 250 kilometers west of Manila Bay and 430 km west of Lingayen Gulf was in effect from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

He said the Notam was to ensure flights over Philippine airspace, particularly the western Manila flight information region, took a different route and avoided possibly being hit by debris from the rocket launch.

Apolonio said the Notam was lifted as soon as the launch was completed.