2.1.1.1   Request for Special Handling

The insertion of an STS indicator in field 18 of a flight plan (see ENR 1.10, § 1.4.9), indicates to all parties that may have to handle the flight that special handling may be required.

It shall be noted that only STS/FFR, STS/HEAD, STS/MEDEVAC and STS/SAR indicators grant automatic exemption from ATFM measures.

The STS/ATFMX indicator also enables exemption when used, but prior authorisation must be given by the CAA if the nature of the flight duly justifies it.

Information about abbreviations used can be found in the IFPS Users Manual.

2.1.1.2   Use of the ‘STS/ATFMX’ indicator

For flights departing from the Brussels FIR, the use of the STS/ATFMX indicator in item 18 of the flight plan can only be requested in the following cases:

1. A human life may be lost, or the physical integrity of a person seriously compromised in permanent manner in the event of a delay due to an ATFM control measure. Such situations include urgent transport of organs or medical teams. Pre-positioning flights may also be granted an exemption if the situation requires it.
2. The flight is for a state mission (but does not fall under STS/HEAD) of such importance that the flight cannot accept any delay.
3. Flights operating on a humanitarian mission.

It shall be noted that any flight that would have normally been delayed and that obtains an ATFM departure slot exemption transfers the delay to other flights. It is therefore essential that the STS/ATFMX indicator be used if, and only if, the nature of the flight justifies this.

Operators who wish to use the STS/ATFMX indicator must obtain authorisation before the flight, by transmitting the information required using the application form available at https://mobilit.belgium.be/fr/aviation/espace-aerien/demandes, accompanied by documents justifying the request.

The request and flight documentation must be sent to the following email address: aspa.exemptions@mobilit.fgov.be.

The request must be sent at least 48 hours prior to the flight during working hours: MON to FRI (HOL excl), 0700-1600 (0600-1500).

Authorisation is granted after examination of the supporting documents provided. The absence of a response 24 hours prior to a flight departure constitutes authorisation.

In any case, the BCAA may request further information regarding the supporting documents provided.

In the event of an emergency when the request cannot be made within the prescribed deadlines, the flight plan and the associated supporting documents are sent as soon as possible to the CAA, and not later than 48 hours after the flight. The operator can file his flight plan with the STS/ATFMX indicator, the verification of the compliance of the request being carried out a posteriori based on the provided information.

2.1.1.3   Verification by the competent authority

The CAA consults the EUROCONTROL flight database monthly to identify the number of flight plans marked with STS/ATFMX and the air operators concerned.

All operators shall retain all appropriate documents to justify the use of the ATFMX exemption for a period of 12 months from the date of the exempted flight and provide them on request to the CAA.

2.1.2.1   Principles

Within the framework of ATFM, flights for which an IFR flight plan is filled-out may be subject to control measures and imposed ATFM departure slots. Due to the specific nature of the flight and when duly filled-out in the field 18 of the ICAO flight plan, some flights are granted an exemption from ATFM measures.

It shall be noted that only STS/HEAD, STS/MEDEVAC, STS/SAR and STS/FFR indicators grant an automatic exemption. The STS/ATFMX also grants an automatic exemption from flow regulations when duly authorised by the CAA and if the nature of the flight duly justifies it.

The information about the additional STS designator to be used in combination with the STS/ATFMX can be found in the Network Manager IFPS Users Manual and the relevant CAA procedure:

2.1.2.2   Approval Procedure

All operators who wish to use an ATFM exemption for flights departing ELLX shall request authorisation before the flight, using the following form(s):

The filled out form together with all the required documents justifying the request shall be sent to the following e-mail address:

The request shall be made at least 48 hours before the flight on working days: MON to FRI (HOL excl), 0700-1600 (0600-1500).

Authorisation is granted after examination of the documents received. The absence of response within 24 hours grants authorisation.

In the event of an emergency (e.g. urgent medical evacuation or organ transport) and when the request cannot be made within the aforementioned time period, the request form dully filled-out and all associated documents shall be transmitted, as soon as possible, to the aforementioned e-mail address and no later than 48 hours after the flight.

2.1.2.3   Verification

All operators shall keep all appropriate documents to justify the use of the ATFM exemption for a period of 12 months as from the date of the exempted flight and provide it on request to the CAA.