Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Protocol for Unidentified Aircraft Detected Flying Within Flight Information Region Under Responsibility of Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport when any unidentified aircraft is detected flying within the Flight Information Region under the responsibility of Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre (SATCC) 

a.     whether SATCC or its air traffic controllers will make contact with such aircraft to establish their flight intentions regardless of whether they are civil aircraft which failed to make prior declarations or state aircraft; and 

b.     whether SATCC will provide the necessary advisory to other civil aircraft flying near such aircraft in the interest of air safety.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)’s role as the Air Traffic Services authority for the Singapore Flight Information Region (FIR) is to ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the Singapore FIR.

2.     In the event of any unidentified aircraft operating within the Singapore FIR, CAAS will take steps to establish the identity of the aircraft, in accordance with the applicable International Civil Aviation Organization rules. This includes attempting to establish two-way communication with the aircraft, and to obtain information on the aircraft from adjacent ATS authorities and other aircraft in the area.

3.     In order to ensure flight safety of other aircraft operating in the area, CAAS will also provide information on the unidentified aircraft’s location and flight path, where available, to pilots of these aircraft and advise them to exercise caution.