Demystifying Global Airspace: What Are Flight Information Regions (FIRs)?

Global airspace is connected by FIRs.

The global, international airspace is split as follows:

  • Global airspace -> ICAO Air Navigation Regions -> FIRs.

All airspace in the world is split into Flight Information Regions (FIRs)

Each FIR is controlled by a single, local authority to ensure aircrafts receive ATC within its parameters. Within a FIR you will find ‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ airspace. Controlled airspace is managed by air traffic controllers and you are in regular contact with controllers. Whereas the opposite is true for uncontrolled airspace – unrestricted airspace with the option to communicate to ATC if required, for example during distress.

If an FIR is split vertically – then the upper portion will be called the upper information region (UIR) and the bottom region as FIR. The UK is split into 3 FIRs.

The three FIRs in the UK are called: London, Scottish and Shanwick Oceanic.

Three FIRs: Shanwick Ocean (L), London (bottom right), Scottish (top right)

The London FIR covers England and Wales; Scottish FIR covers Scotland and NI and Shanwick Oceanic covers the North East Atlantic. NATs provide air traffic services for the UK CAA with two bases in Swanwick and Prestwick.

Which areas of the UK do NATs Swanwick and Prestwick cover?

NATs Swanwick

This site covers LACC, LTCC and Military. The acronym I use to remember this ATM – as in an ATM machine.

A: (London Area Control Centre)

This covers the entire area of the London FIR (this extends all over the England and Welsh borders

T: (London Terminal Control Centre)

This covers the London Airports (extending from Birmingham-Bristol-France)

  • Below 24,500 feet

M: (Military Air Traffic Control)

All military support as and when required.

NATs Prestwick

This site covers MACC, SCACC and OACC. The acronym I use for this is MSO – My Sweet Octopus.

M: Manchester Area Control Centre

  • NE, Wales and Midlands
  • 2,500 ft to 28,500 ft

S: Scotland Area Control Centre

  • Scot, N Eng, NI, North Sea
  • 2,500 ft to 66,000 ft

O: Oceanic Area Control Centre

  • Eastern Half of the North Atlantic

FIR re-alignment agreement in Singapore and Indonesia (Feb 2022)

Recently, Singapore and Indonesia have agreed changes on the FIR to provide airspace sovereignty for Indonesia in areas like Riau and Natuna Islands which were formerly managed by Singapore.

The amendment gives Jakarta FIR an extra 249,575 square kilometres. This will resolve a long-standing request by Indonesia to align its FIR with its territorial borders as well as upholding safety, efficiency and enhancing collaboration by working with air navigation services in its own territory.

The international classification of this system provides clarity for aircrafts passing each FIR globally. Regardless of the size and classification of the FIR – upholding safety and efficient passage is a shared objective from all countries which continues to be the case today.