JANUARY - WEBLOGS - Air Operations

Content

25 JANUARY, 2005

INDONESIA - AIRCRAFT IN THE REGION

Aircraft available to UNHAS

• BANDA ACEH:
• 2 x Mi8; 3 x Puma (en route at present)
• 2 x Mi8 MTV (due 24/1)
• 2 x S61 of Malaysian AF
• SUBANG:
• 2 x IL76 (available for extended regional airlift)
• 3 x C130 (2 Malaysian and one Danish) operated on behalf of UNHAS
• 1 x HS 125 (expected to deploy to JAKARTA in near future and may be replaced there by Beech 1900)
• JAKARTA:
• 2 x light twin aircraft (Twin Otter/Casa) due 28/1

Other Humanitarian Aircraft

• 3 x Super Pumas from Switzerland working for UNHCR
• Beech 1900 coming in for ICRC based JAKARTA to run JAKARTA-MEDAN-BANDA and ACEH-MEULABOH (when usable)
• 2 C130s from Norway previously working for ICRC now leaving the region.
• 2 Mi8/17 in BANDA ACEH for Oxfam. 
• 3 military C130s at JAKARTA and 3 more at MEDAN.

To request flights go to www.unjlc.org

22 JANUARY 2005

INDONESIA

Consideration is being given to the eventual replacement of military assets with UN/otherNGO assets, transition to UNHAS flights being investigated... One MI8 WFP charter to is to be stationed in BANDA ACEH, today is on route from MEDAN to MEULABOH, followed by MEULABOH  MEDAN and MEDAN BANDA ACEH.  Refueling issues being addressed by WFP procurement...  Two WFP charter IL76s from BANGKOK to BANDA ACEH (3 flights) and BANGKOK to MEDAN (10 flights) have started operations on the 19th of January.  Passenger requests for seats on military flights have increased  currently fielding request for approx. 15 pax per day to Banda Aceh.

SUBANG (SHAH) UPDATE

• SUBANG HUMANITARIAN AIR HUB (SHAH), in Malaysia, is to remain the UN priority one dispatch centre for all freight and will be kept as a strategic hub until the end of February. Especially UNICEF plans on making use of the hub. An assessment will be carried out midFebruary to determine whether the hub should be kept longer...
• SMALL LOADS: Agencies that have loads for strategic airlift which are to small to charter an aircraft, should complete a cargo request form from the website. UNJLC will try to collate these loads for common chartering.

SABANG AIRPORT (WIAA)

• It appears that the main problem with Sabang (WIAA) is the onward movement from there. There is already a backlog there. Strategic fuel is required in the form of drums to cater for ferry flights between SABANG and BANDA ACEH. This will ensure that the helicopters can always make it back for the last flight and will not have to wait for fuel in BANDA ACEH during peak times.

SRI LANKA

COLOMBO AIRPORT AGREEMENT CONFIRMED

• An agreement has been concluded on retaining the services of the Disaster Resource Network's (DRN) AIRPORT EMERGENCY TEAM (AET) for a period of 15 days or until 01/02/05.  AET works closely with the Airport Authority of Sri Lanka and is responsible for the handling and storage of all relief supplies arriving via charter flight at BANDARANAIKE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Currently the Airport warehouse is approximately 80 to 90 percent full. UNJLC inquiries indicate approx. 25 flights are expected from agencies, NGO's and donors over the next 15 days. UNJLC was instrumental in securing USD150,000 from Citigroup to continue AET activities at the airport and is actively supporting the implementation.

18 JANUARY, 2005

SUBANG UPDATE

• Operations have ramped up at SUBANG HUMANITARIAN AIR HUB (SHAH), in Malaysia, with 13 flights leaving since Friday (14/01/05) The flights, six to MEDAN and seven to BANDA ACEH, carried two Land Cruisers, a mobile laboratory, generators and 163 tons of fortified biscuits; more than had been carried in all previous flights out of SHAH put together... Since SHAH went operational on January 7, a total of 30 airlifts have been deployed... UN HUMANITARIAN AIR SERVICE (UNHAS) is now operating an 8seater plane for passenger traffic out of SHAH, for use by UN personnel and other members of the humanitarian community working on tsunami relief... There is a shortage of flight pallets at SHAH.

INDONESIA

• STATUS
• No change in status of LHOKSEUMAWE, BANDA ACEH, SUBANG (Malaysia), and SABANG (IndonesiaAceh).
• MEULABOH (Merampi [WIMG]) - No Change from most recent report (15/01/05) which noted the runway has significant cracks that restrict the operation. Also no Air Traffic Control, visibility on landing is a crew decision, TNI and Japanese NGO are ground crew. Still operational for rotary and small fixed wing craft.
• MI8
  MI8 is now not allowed to take passengers until safety inspection has been completed. This is serious impediment to planned assessment of the WEST COAST area today (17/01/05)... MI8 has insurance for crew and nonrevenue passengers and this info has been transmitted... Waiting on one underslung lift by MI8 to complete delivery of Ericcson communication equipment to MEULABOH.
• BANDA ACEH
  A backlog of freight remains at the airport; warehousing should be sought prior to shipment... Helo ops have also been slow... Additional Materials handling equipment deployed 14/01/05... Block booking seats on Garuda is seen as too expensive, especially as seats are currently readily available and flights are becoming more reliable. Garuda now flies nonstop JAKARTABANDA ACEH.

SABANG AIRPORT ASSESSMENT

Air Logistics Organisation (ALO) visited Sabang Island on 15/01/05.

AIRSTRIP
SABANG is suitable for C130 with grounds welldrained and a large hanger for storing supplies. Community generally affected by Tsunami in a relatively minor fashion as most communities live away from the beach.

KEY POINTS

•  located on an island 33nm north/west of BANDA ACEH.
•  runway 28/10 paved 6000ft and 800 ft above sea level
•  two paved aprons, 1 north and 1 south
•  large aircraft hangar adjacent to northern apron. (storage facilities)
•  all ground around runway and aprons is hard and suitable for all types of helicopter parking.
•  surface considerably dry notwithstanding amount of recent rain in the area.
•  no Jet A1 available on the island.
•  appears to be numerous places accommodating personnel for operations.

COMMENTS
With the TNI decision to move all military C130 providing humanitarian aid to operate to SABANG with effect 15/01/05, there has been a change in the focus of using BANDA ACEH as the HUB for incoming freight... With the limited apron and the storage facilities on SABANG ISLAND for operator site would seem that the concept for operations would be to immediately transfer the freight for distribution ASAP by helicopters and or barge away from the Island  just to prevent a major pile up and backlog of transfer... Helicopters will have to carry sea survival equipment for both aircrew and associated personnel with the applicable weight penalties in respect of loss of range... Due to the location of Island north of the mainland any supply sortie will have a minimum time penalty of 45 min dead flying with the associated loss in range.

SRI LANKA 

• CMCoord
  The humanitarian request for air assets and actual tasking of these does not always match the provider's requirements for the use or availability of assets. Discussions are ongoing between MCDA CMCoord and US military to clarify in what circumstances and for what load their assets are available for humanitarian agencies.
• AIR SERV
  Formalized air asset requests for Air Serv are in place.
• WATER
  Requests for the transport of water produced by Hungarian and Austrian teams has been forwarded to Sri Lanka Military forces.

JANUARY 15, 2005

INDONESIA

• SABANG Airport (WIAA, named MAIMUN SALEH, north of BANDA ACEH) [NOTE: not to be confused SUBANG Air Hub in Mlaysia] opened yesterday with Australian C130s operating into it.
• SABANG Airport has no lighting and is therefore only open during the day for visual approaches. There is no fuel available and there are currently no plans to provide any.
• MEULABOH airfield has no Air Traffic Control. There is no visibility of incoming helicopter flights until they arrive.
• There are six helipads in and around MEULABOH. These have been given a designated number by TNI and are recognized by both Singapore and the US (and presumably other air forces flying in).

JANUARY 13, 2005

SUBANG Air Hub

• Update on incoming and outgoing flights at SUBANG humanitarian air hub (WMSA):

1. B-707, UNICEF cargo, landed on 12/01/05 18.30 hrs. local.
   
2. 3 C-130s, WFP biscuits, sorties on 12/01/05.
   
3. B-747, vehicles, expected to land on 13/01/05.
   
4. Tristar, UNICEF blankets, expected to land on 13/01/05.

• A business jet is operational out of SUBANG. The aircraft is an 8 seat HS 125-700 which is available for passenger transport. Operations are done on a partial cost recovery basis. Therefore, a flat fee of $200 is charged regardless of the destination. Tasking and booking of the aircraft is done by UNHAS SUBANG (+60378461364/+603 7846 1307).
• The UNHAS team at SUBANG (+603 7846 1364/+603 7846 1307) requests 48 hours advance notification of all inbound flights.
• UNHAS also requests information on whether charter contracts include ground handling and refuelling is needed. Regarding ground handling on the base, exclusive use must be made of the MAL (MALK) crew. No other commercial agent will be accepted.

PROCEDURES for Air Transport Requests

• New procedures for requesting air transport are published here on www.unjlc.org. Also the needed forms to request transport are available.
• Three theatres are identified for airlift:

1. Strategic Long Range Airlift, agencies are encouraged to charter assets themselves.
2. Regional Airlift, including airlifts from the SUBANG Humanitarian Air Hub (WMSA). A distinction is made between UNHAS assets and military assets in the region. NOTE: Military airlift will be requested only in cases of specific need.
3. Helicopter and Light Aircraft airlift, both for the helicopters and light aircraft in BANDA ACEH and military helicopter flights out of MEDAN.

• Also, requests for slot allocations for SUBANG (WMSA), MEDAN (WIMM) and BANDA ACEH (WITT) can be downloaded on www.unjlc.org (Indian Ocean, Air Operations).
• It is considered at the moment whether commodities can be forwarded by sea from the SUBANG Humanitarian Air Hub (WMSA) to ports in Indonesia. This could reduce congestion at BANDA ACEH and MEDAN airports.

INDONESIA

• UNHCR is chartering commercial flights to move freight from JAKARTA to BANDA ACEH.
• WFP is finalizing an agreement with Garuda for 20 seats per day on the JAKARTA - BANDA ACEH route starting 16/01/05.  However, it is still to be determined whether this system will be used or whether direct bookings (ie. Agency to Airline) will be privileged.
• MEDAN airport is functioning well and is now open again to Il 76s. However, all large aircraft still must request time slots in advance.
• The Government of Indonesia has approved the use of the airfield at SABANG on Weh Island (north of BANDA ACEH, referred to as both WIAA and WITB, official name: Mainun Saleh) for military operations in support of relief efforts. The Australian military will do an assessment of the facilities at SABANG. Also port facilities will be assessed. Provisional results are that the airfield is suitable for a C130.
• With the opening of the SABANG airfield, reviews of possible supply routes have begun. This airfield could become a base for aid destined for the WEST COAST of Sumatra and hence relieve some congestion at BANDA ACEH airport.
• UNHAS is planning UN helicopter operations from MEULABOH.
• At MEULABOH (Merampi (sic)) airport a US Kingair turbo propeller fixed wing broke its undercarriage on the Apron at 10.00hrs (local) on 12/01/05. The airfield remains closed at this point.
• LHOKSEUMAWE: an airfield report is awaited. However, the airfield is believed to be operating at full capacity. ICRC is one of the main users of this facility.
• Overview of UNHAS helicopters en-route to BANDA ACEH:
  • Latvian/TNT: 1 x MI8, marked, MEDAN, ETA 12/01/05
  • Latvian/TNT: 1 x MI8, unmarked, MEDAN, ETA 12/01/05
  • DFID: 3 x Super Puma, unmarked, SUBANG, ETA 17/01/05
  • DFID: 2 x MI17, unmarked, SUBANG, ETA 17/01/05
• The transport of personnel between JAKARTA, MEDAN and BANDA ACEH remains problematic.
• The airstrip of SABANG (island off the coast of BANDA ACEH) is expected to be reopened by the Government of Indonesia and TNI. The airstrip could be used for C130s and helicopters.
• An OXFAM MI17 has been deployed to BANDA ACEH and a second one is expected in the weekend.

OVERALL

• The COMBINED SUPPORT FORCE (U.S.) has its headquarters in U-TAPAO with three Combined Support Groups located in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The procedures to request use of these assets are published on www.unjlc.org under Indian Ocean under Air Operations. For strategic airlift, in principle, agencies charter commercial assets.
• The U.S. military will conduct several flights with C17s to transport High-Energy Biscuits from DHAKA to BANDA ACEH, since these flights are of high priority. 144 short tons of biscuits will be transported on this route in the coming days. The remaining quantity (166 short tons of biscuits) will be shipped to SINGAPORE for onward transport to ACEH.

INDONESIA - Air Operations

• The proposal for providing additional cargo handling capacity for the UN and humanitarian organisations at BANDA ACEH Airport has been approved by TNI. The deployment would include both personnel and equipment to carry out offload and cargo movement activities. The team will work in partnership with the Australian, British and Malaysian offload teams currently present at the airport.
• A C17 provided by the UK carrying cargo for WFP has landed at BANDA ACEH Airport.
• A helicopter crash in BANDA ACEH has been reported. However, this did not influence the air operations significantly.
• A C130 provided by the Japanese Self Defence Forces is transporting relief goods for UNHCR from U-TAPAO to MEDAN on a daily basis.
• The Dutch government has provided equipment for ground-air communications to the Indonesian Air Traffic Control in MEDAN. Two air traffic specialists installed the equipment and instructed on its use. Additionally, equipment will be installed in MEULABOH. An assessment of needs for ground-air communications equipment for BANDA ACEH will be made; if necessary, additional equipment will follow later this week.
• Multi-sectoral assessment missions on the WEST COAST of Sumatra will be carried out with rotary aircraft provided by the U.S. military, starting 11/01/05.
• Proposed routes for air support to NIAS and SIMEULUE Island can be found on www.cathayseas.com.

SRI LANKA - Air Operations

• As of 10/01/05 a total of 177 (charter) aircraft have flown into Bandaranaike Airport (COLOMBO, VCBI) with personnel and/or relief supplies.
• The Disaster Resources Network (DRN) receives all relief commodities at Bandaranaike Airport (VCBI). The Sri Lankan Air Force offloads the aircraft; eight forklifts are available. DRN tasks include the activities from airstrip to warehouse to trucks, including palletizing of cargo, storing/stacking, keeping of records and managing of the stocks until they are taken by The Government of Sri Lanka or an NGO. DRN handles charter aircraft; Sri Lankan Airlines handles commercial aircraft bringing in relief goods. 6,000 MT of humanitarian /relief cargo has been handled by DRN since 29/12/04. DRN is handling between 5-15 flights per day.
• The warehouse capacity at Bandaranaike airport is inside 6,000 sq m and outside 3,000 sq m. Current warehouse stocks are between 170 and 220 MT. A third is food; two thirds are Non-Food Items. A third is stock owned by the Government of Sri Lanka; two thirds are International/NGO stocks. There is limited UN stock present currently.
• DRN experiences problems due to the lack of communication on what cargo is arriving when and from where. Also there is a lack of information on who is coming when to pick up their cargo which delays the transport of the cargo.
• Air assets available in Sri Lanka:

1. 6 x HA 60 (Blackhawk) U.S. helicopters (1-1,5 MT capacity) available for humanitarian missions, based at Bandaranaike airport (VCBI).
2. 1 x King Air 300 PAX Aircraft (7 pax capacity) operated by Air Serv, based at Bandaranaike airport (VCBI).
3. 1 x Puma helicopter ETA 12/01/05 (18 pax or 1,6 MT capacity) operated by Air Serv, based at Bandaranaike (VCBI).
4. 1 x Antonov-8 (10 MT capacity) operated by Expo Air free of charge, based at Ratmalana airport (COLOMBO, VCCC), operates according to following schedule: 2 flights daily to AMAPARA at 0600 and 1615; 1 flight daily to WIRAWILA at 0830; 1 flight daily to BATTICALOA at 1100; 1 flight daily to JAFFNA at 1330.

JANUARY 11, 2005

OVERALL

• At the strategic air hub in SUBANG (WMSA) the current air assets include two C-130s each of which can make three rotations per day under normal circumstances and a Casa235. In addition an IL76 and an AN12 will be deployed. There is roughly 1,000 m2 of warehouse space available. An additional shelter of 625 m2 is being erected on the tarmac.
• SUBANG has all required loading and ground handling equipment to serve Tristars and C17s. There are no problems flying MCDA to Subang. Fuel is available both commercially and through the military.
• WFP has flown from 07/01/05 to 10/01/05 prefabricated warehouses, refuelling tanks, empty bags and refuelling systems accessories from BRINDISI. This was done by two rotations of a Tristar KC1 and a C17 provided by the British RAF. The goods will be forwarded on to BANDA ACEH.
• CONSIGNING CARGO
  Agencies and NGOs that want to consign cargo through the SUBANG HUMANITARIAN AIR HUB (SHAH) should contact:
• • UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN AIR SERVICE (UNHAS)
     Pengkalan Udara Subang
     40000 Shah Alam
     Selangor Darul Eshan
     Malaysia
     Tel: +603 7846 1364    +603 7846 1371    +603 7846 1307 Fax: +603 7846 1355
    
  • UNHAS Operations Room is active 24/7 and currently staffed by the Malaysian Air force until the UNHAS staff is available.
• A slot request form will be published on the UNJLC website.

INDONESIA - Air Operations

• There is a new format for passenger and freight requests on military aircraft posted on www.unjlc.org. For the military, passenger movement is a relatively low priority and commercial flights should be used where possible.
• Obtaining slot times from SUBANG to BANDA ACEH (WITT) in particular, but also MEDAN (WIMM), has proven to be problematic.
• The apron of BANDA ACEH airport is full of rubbish and requests are made to TNI to clean up the area. However, helicopter pilots are to take extreme caution and must not taxi over tents. Further, helicopters with skids are to air taxi as close as possible to the Landing Zone and must not extend any air taxiing.
• BANDA ACEH Airport does not generally allow AN124 and IL76 and aircraft of similar size to land. However, exceptions have been made to this rule for IL76.
• There is a definite need for more material handling equipment at BANDA ACEH.
• The Australian military now has a terminal operations team at MEDAN.
• The Air Vice Marshall at MEDAN reported that the airport at LHOKSEUMAWE is at maximum capacity with ICRC and TNI operating out of there.
• Ships are providing relief goods to PULAU NIAS (island) and the surrounding area (www.cathayseas.com). However, helicopter assistance is still needed. Especially SIMEULUE island is in need of relief goods. An airfield is located on this island at SINABANG city with a 2475 foot, asphalt runway.

JANUARY 10, 2005

OVERALL

• UNICEF will be flying an IL76 into the strategic air hub SUBANG (WMSA) landing on 11/01/05 or 12/01/05 carrying various cargo including a telecommunications VSAT and two technicians to operate this.

JANUARY 9, 2005

OVERALL

• A business jet will be operational out of SUBANG as of 10/01/05. The aircraft is an 8 seat HS 125-700 which is available for passenger transport. Operations are done on a partial cost recovery basis. Therefore, a flat fee of $200 is charged regardless of the destination. Tasking and booking of the aircraft is done by UNHAS SUBANG (+60378461364).
• The US Air Force at U-TAPAO does not have the appropriate forklift and equipment to offload DC10 aircraft. Therefore, it is advised for DC-10 charter flights to coordinate offload with U-TAPAO civil airport.

INDONESIA - Air Operations

• Three Super Puma helicopters provided by the U.K. Government will be available as common assets in 5/6 days. While UNHAS will manage the aircraft, UNJLC will be responsible for the prioritisation.
• In BANDA ACEH TNI cancelled all slots for UN flights in favour of TNI flights on 08/01/05.

• BANDA ACEH airport:

• In addition to the Australian support to the Indonesian Air Traffic Control, a five man Australian airlift team is in place on the apron. Two forklifts operate at the airport; one is brought by the Australian military and another one brought with IHP cargo. Cargo should be sent on pallets, since this reduces the unload time from two to three hours to 45 minutes.
• The UNJLC helicopter expert (General Penhall) acts as a Civil/Military Coordinator between TNI and humanitarian operations at the airport. He attends the daily tasking meeting of TNI and the daily multinational military meeting. TNI has agreed to the establishment of an Air Operations Coordination Cell with all donating militaries. Slot requests for BANDA ACEH for the next day can be called through to +39 3405744295 before 15.00 local time (Z+7). The BANDA ACEH frequencies are: Tower: 122.2; Helicopter Ops.: 129.3; Ground Advisory.: 123.2.
• At least two pick-up points will be activated for helicopters to service North Sumatra. One of these will be MEULABOH, 100 NM SE of BANDA ACEH.
• The supply of MEULABOH by road and onward supply by rotary aircraft based at MEULABOH will reduce pressure on BANDA ACEH Airport.
• Fuel storage is needed in MEULABOH to allow for refuelling of helicopters.

• MEULABOH Airport:

• There is a large crack in the runway. It used to be 580 m long with 200 m over run; now 400m is still usable. The Singaporean army is working with TNI to build a landing pad for a Chinook. The road from the airport to the town is severely damaged. Engineering capacity has been offloaded by the Singaporean ships off the coast.
• UNHCR has Non-Food Items (NFI) available in JAKARTA and is trying to getthese shipped to BANDA ACEH as soon as possible. The NFI include: 100,000 blankets, 20,000 kitchen sets, 20,000 plastic sheeting, 20,000 jerry cans, 2,000 lightweight tents, 50,000 sleeping mats, a total of 4,000 MT.
• At BLANPIDIE (two hours by truck to the south of MEULABOH) an airstrip can be used. The capacity is limited (Cassa aircraft can land which is a 1.5 MT capacity propeller plane).
• The government of Indonesia prioritises from MEDAN the delivery of food and medicines transported by air with aircraft provided by several countries. This does not include UNHAS aircraft.
• The inter-agency assessment of the west coast was delayed due to problems with refuelling in SIBOLGA (South of PASAR SINGKIL).
• BANDA ACEH Airport (WITT): the maximum ground time permitted to aircraft is two hours due to limited apron capacity. Furthermore, problems have been experienced with slot times being changed or cancelled last-minute. More airport handling equipment is needed. Also storage tents (Rubb halls) with an assembly team are needed. There is a shortage of last minute passenger places available on flights from JAKARTA to BANDA ACEH. This is hampering relief work carried out by the UN.
• Storage capacity for Jet A1 fuel in BANDA ACEH is 4 X 400,000 litres. The Indonesian authorities take the necessary steps for replenishing the tanks (with either commercial or military means. Fuel price is $0.37 per litre.
• The warehouse capacity in MEDAN is becoming saturated.
• The MEULABOH airfield is damaged. Half can be used to land helicopters; the other half can receive small Cessna type aircraft.
• Singaporean Chinooks from MEDAN are currently making over four sorties a day to the MEULABOH helicopter landing field.
• Fuel is needed to be prepositioned in MEULABOH and later in Lumut (airfield just south of SIBOLGA) to assist helicopter operations for the west coast south of MEULABOH.
• A helicopter assessment of the route MEDAN to PASAR SINGKIL (vic 97.75E 2.25N) dated 08/01/05 will be made available on www.unjlc.org. Highlightsare: Refuelling in Sibolga is a difficult and time consuming process. There is a helicopter landing site adjacent to the port in Singkil. Two more helicopter pads can be found in the town.
• WFP food has been flown to Blangpidie (vic 96.75E 3.75N). The airport has an 800 metres runway.

SRI LANKA - Air Operations

• The Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) reports that Expo Air provides flights free of charge to all organisations that wish to carry relief cargo to effected areas. All flights leave from Ratmalana Airport (COLOMBO). The flight schedule is as follows:
  • two flights daily to AMPARA at 6.00 and 6.15 hours,
  • one flight daily to WIRAWILA at 8.30 hours,
  • one flight daily to BATTICALOA at 11.00 hours,
  • one flight daily to JAFFNA at 13.30 hours,
• Only essential relief goods are carried. Expo Air is responsible for loading, transportation and unloading of all relief cargo to and from the aircraft. Each shipment should be 10,000 kg (8 tonnes).
  If you would like to have your cargo carried on these flights, please contact Gerard Jansz on 0777 186519.

JANUARY 8, 2005

OVERALL

• A regional CIVIL MILITARY COORDINATION CELL has been set up at U-TAPAO air base, THAILAND. Present is the Joint Task Force consisting of two Civil Military Coordination officers and one UNJLC Civil Military liaison officer.
• UNICEF will be flying an IL76 into the strategic air hub SUBANG (WMSA) landing on 11/01/05 or 12/01/05 carrying various cargo including a telecommunications VSAT and two technicians to operate this.

INDONESIA - Air Operations

• Three Super Puma helicopters provided by the U.K. Government will be available as common assets in 5/6 days. While UNHAS will manage the aircraft, UNJLC will be responsible for the prioritisation.
• In BANDA ACEH TNI cancelled all slots for UN flights in favour of TNI flights on 08/01/05.
• BANDA ACEH airport: In addition to the Australian support to the Indonesian Air Traffic Control, a five man Australian airlift team is in place on the apron. Two forklifts operate at the airport; one is brought by the Australian military and another one brought with IHP cargo. Cargo should be sent on pallets, since this reduces the unload time from two to three hours to 45 minutes.
• The UNJLC helicopter expert (General Penhall) acts as a Civil/Military Coordinator between TNI and humanitarian operations at the airport. He attends the daily tasking meeting of TNI and the daily multinational military meeting. TNI has agreed to the establishment of an Air Operations Coordination Cell with all donating militaries. Slot requests for BANDA ACEH for the next day can be called through to +39 3405744295 before 15.00 local time (Z+7). The BANDA ACEH frequencies are: Tower: 122.2; Helicopter Ops.: 129.3; Ground Advisory.: 123.2.
• At least two pick-up points will be activated for helicopters to service North Sumatra. One of these will be MEULABOH, 100 NM SE of BANDA ACEH.
• The supply of MEULABOH by road and onward supply by rotary aircraft based at MEULABOH will reduce pressure on BANDA ACEH Airport.
• Fuel storage is needed in MEULABOH to allow for refuelling of helicopters.
• MEULABOH Airport: There is a large crack in the runway. It used to be 580 m long with 200 m over run; now 400m is still usable. The Singaporean army is working with TNI to build a landing pad for a Chinook. The road from the airport to the town is severely damaged. Engineering capacity has been offloaded by the Singaporean ships off the coast.
• UNHCR has Non-Food Items (NFI) available in JAKARTA and is trying to get these shipped to BANDA ACEH as soon as possible. The NFI include: 100,000 blankets, 20,000 kitchen sets, 20,000 plastic sheeting, 20,000 jerry cans, 2,000 lightweight tents, 50,000 sleeping mats, a total of 4,000 MT.
• At Blanpidie (two hours by truck to the south of MEULABOH) an airstrip can be used. The capacity is limited (Cassa aircraft can land which is a 1.5 MT capacity propeller plane).

SRI LANKA - Air Operations

• Air Serv has a King Air 300 operating from Colombo/Katunayake International for free use of NGOs in cooperation with USAID/OFDA. Also a Puma helicopter will arrive 08/01/05 for free use of NGOs. This Puma will be based initially at Katunayake International. Furthermore, Air Serv coordinates the use of an Antonov cargo aircraft based at Colombo's Ratmalana airport. This aircraft has a payload of 5000 kilos and its use is free. Colombo contact numbers: +77 690 9986/+77 690 9987.
• WFP has acquired a 5,000 sq m warehouse at the COLOMBO Port which will be available to other agencies as well.

JANUARY 7, 2005

OVERALL

• SUBANG HUMANITARIAN AIR HUB (SHAH) has been operational since 06/01/05. ICAO coordinates: WMSA. Yesterday a 747 carrying biscuits from NEW DELHI landed and two C130s have been loaded with 18 tons of biscuits each and have left the SHAH for BANDA ACEH the morning of 07/01/05. It is recommended to land all international flights in SUBANG and then to further dispatch the cargo by smaller aircraft to BANDA ACEH and MEDAN.
• CONSIGNING CARGO
  Agencies and NGOs that want to consign cargo through the SHAH should contact:
  
  • UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN AIR SERVICE (UNHAS)
     Pengkalan Udara Subang
     40000 Shah Alam
     Selangor Darul Eshan
     Malaysia
     Tel: +603 7846 1364    +603 7846 1371    +603 7846 1307 Fax: +603 7846 1355
    
  • UNHAS Operations Room is active 24/7 and currently staffed by the Malaysian Air force until the UNHAS staff is available.
• The Australian Defence Forces are establishing their strategic air hub at the military facility in BUTTERWORTH, Malaysia. This will take pressure of the airports of MEDAN and BANDA ACEH.
• WFP has done two rotations by chartered IL76 from NEW DELHI to MALE and will do a third rotation 07/01/05. Also a single flight is being carried out from Dhaka to Colombo by IL76 0n 09/01/05.
• UNICEF has been offered the use of a 747 freighter by British Airways for ten rotations. The aircraft leaves from BILLUND (Denmark), but might be able to pick up goods in BRINDISI and DUBAI. Destinations are COLOMBO and SUBANG, depending on demand. The first flight will take place on 19/01/05. Other agencies are invited to inform UNICEF of their requirements for cargo movement.

MALDIVES - Air Operations

• Air Serv has deployed two Bell 407 helicopters and a full stand-alone team to Male since 05/01/05. This was done at the invitation of the Government of the Maldives and in cooperation with the Government of South Africa.

JANUARY 6, 2005

INDONESIA - Air Operations

• A Cargo Request form for air transport to MEDAN and BANDA ACEH can be downloaded. Please complete the form for your cargo and send it to airACEH@unjlc.org . UNJLC prioritises transport of goods and personnel using Australian, Malaysian, Singaporean and U.S. military aircraft when made available.
• The need for helicopters is being reassessed by UNJLC since many assets have arrived in the area.
• LHOKSEUMAWE airport: this is a small airport with a single runway and a small apron. It is reported to be able to handle a maximum of three transport aircraft at the same time. There is easy access to the main coast road which runs to BANDA ACEH.
• An IOM technical team is now based at JAKARTA's Halim military airport to facilitate the loading of materials flooding in from governments, international organizations, NGOs and other donors.

JANUARY 5, 2005  

OVERALL

• C-17 flights needed for bringing in relief cargo and equipment:
  - The UK C-17 has done three rotations with equipment for IHP (International Humanitarian Partnership) used to set up a base camp in BANDA ACEH.
  - DFID agreed to provide additional flights to be managed by UNJLC.
  - The C-17s that may be provided by the U.S. are not in place yet.
• The airport of SUBANG (WMSA - SZB) in MALAYSIA will be available for accepting strategic airlift as from 01.00 GMT 06/01/05. Ground handling and storage will be available. Parking space is sufficient for 4 wide bodies. Aircraft should be staggered by 2 hours. Slot times will be coordinated by UNJLC. Further dispatching will be done by C130 and coordinated between the Malaysian authorities, UNJLC and HAS.
• SINGAPORE Airport (WSSS) will be used as an alternative air hub. A Dutch aircraft carrying relief cargo for ICRC was today already redirected to this airport as it could not land in MEDAN.

SRI LANKA - Air Operations

• Airserve has arrived in Colombo with a KingAir 300 (8 pax and crago door) and will bring in a Puma tomorrow with a payload of 4,800 pounds. The helicopters primarily service OFDA/USAID, but give secondary priority to UN and NGOs. Service is free of charge. Contact point: Stuart Willcuts (+94 77 690 9987).   

JANUARY 4, 2005 

OVERALL

• A staging area for the transhipment of humanitarian food and non-food aid will be established at SUBANG Airport (WMSA). From here relief goods can be flown to MEDAN and BANDA ACEH and possibly to MALE, COLOMBO and the NICOBAR ISLANDS.
• Warehouse and storage facilities and parking/staging space for aircraft supporting the disaster relief operations will also be made available.
• Also the Malaysian government will provide WFP with a C-130, two helicopters and a military engineer squadron for rehabilitation and road engineering in Aceh.
• The Singaporean government has offered use of four helicopters that are currently in use in MEDAN and ACEH carrying goods to the West Coast. 
• C-130s fly daily between BANDA ACEH, MEDAN and SINGAPORE.

JANUARY 1, 2005

OVERALL

• On www.unjlc.org Air Cargo Request Forms are available that can be sent to wilfried.debrouwer@wfp.org.

• Turn around times of aircraft landing at VCCC (Colombo). Information provided by the DRN emergency airport team.
  IL76: 4-6 hrs.
  AN12: 2-4 hrs.
  B747: 2 hrs.
  C130: 2 hrs. bulk load
  DC8/B707: 1 hr.
  DC10/MD11: 2 hrs.
  AN124: 12-18 hrs.
  Twin Otter: 8 mins.
• All international flights to Sri Lanka need to transit through Colombo Airport.  There is sufficient off-loading capacity and enough storage space. The apron in front of the warehouse helps in the transfer of cargo. All aeronautical fees are waived for aircraft associated with relief effort. There is enough parking space for aircraft that need to stay in the country for flying to the field. To off-load equipment in Colombo before onward shipping is recommended, since all cargo will have to be inspected by the Sri Lankan government.
• Relief goods can be shipped to the field by road or air. The road is damaged in the affected areas. All other airports are operational and serviceable, only the most Northern one (Jaffna) might give problems due to the political situation. To access the airports medium to small cargo plane are recommended. Helicopters would also be highly useful.
• The main point of entry is Colombo airport; all aircraft land here first. Disaster Relief Network (DRN) is acting as a handling agent (reception and storage). Commodities are stored in a 6000 m2 warehouse at the airport. NGOs and agencies (indicated on the waybills) can retrieve their commodities out of the warehouse within 7 days; otherwise the government takes the commodities. However, the government does not have a transport and distribution plan yet. A common pool of NFI is now being set up (UNJLC).
• The airport in Colombo is experiencing delays in offloading. This may prevent further operators from coming in.
• Helicopters are primarily required in the North-East (Tamil Tiger area) for transport of cargo. In all areas helicopters are required for assessment. The relief team needs domestic air capacity, both helicopters and fixed wings (Twin Otter types) (UNJLC).

• The international airport functions during the day and allows only take offs in the evening. IL76 and Airbus can land on this airport. Of the four regional airport runways, two have been damaged. Boats can also be used to distribute relief goods.

DECEMBER 31, 2004

• ICRC has started air operations to Sri-Lanka with an AN-124 aircraft. The 29th the aircraft carried 110 Mt of goods that has been unloaded today, since the airport was congested with military and civilian heavy freight. A second rotation is planned for within 48 hours from Mombasa to Colombo. A DC10 will fly today or tomorrow to Colombo from Nairobi. An AN12 is flying today from Geneva to Colombo with medical items.
• On 27 Dec, DFID sent an IL 76 to Colombo, mainly with shelter items. An AN 12 will be flying to Djakarta with WHO medical items and the IHP partners are planning to charter an AN 124 with commodities for the relief operations in Indonesia.
• The Belgian Air Force has flown one airbus with UNICEF goods to Colombo and today another airbus with MSF goods will arrive in Medan. UNICEF has chartered a total 4 aircraft, two to Indonesia and two to Colombo WFP Air Operations: Two A300-200F have arrived in Colombo. The first experienced a delay in offloading. Several RFOs have been issued to transport goods to Male and Colombo.
• Colombo airport: Yesterday there was congestion; this is less of a problem at the moment. A DRN team is now assisting in offloading aircraft. Cargo pallets can be unloaded quickly, but cannot be returned on the same flights. Landing clearance for Colombo VCBI can only be obtained if the aircraft is scheduled to leave immediately, therefore the flight plan cannot schedule a stop for crew rest. All types of aircraft can land here.

• Airport in MALE: IL76 and Airbus can land here; it is not clear whether larger aircraft (AN124 and B747) can land. The runway was closed, but is now open to VFR operation only. All Navigation Aids are down and therefore some operators refuse to operate to MALE. There is no fuel available.