Russia Warns Of Rocket Blast Over Maine

Russia Warns Of Rocket Blast In North Atlantic Airspace Hugging Maine and Canada

By Ted Cohen

The Russian Space Agency has warned international flights commonly flying over, into and out of Bangor to beware of a potentially dangerous missile launch.

Russia issued a warning of the potential airspace danger from a missile launch between December 28 and December 30.

The area involved is located above the North Atlantic, which is the world's busiest oceanic airspace.

The airspace is managed by Gander Oceanic Control Area, which includes Newfoundland and an area in northeastern Maine and along its coast.

Russian defense officials warned civilian pilots through a Notice to Airmen of a rocket hazard area located directly within the mid-North Atlantic region.

The advisory out of Moscow notified global aviation authorities that the planned missile launch that could disrupt the busiest transatlantic air corridor.

Airlines operating between North America and Europe were preparing for delays, rerouting, and higher operational costs.

Russia’s national space agency said current projections indicated the missile could splash down in the mid-North Atlantic, creating a temporary but serious hazard for civilian aircraft.

The expected dropdown area lies within the Gander Flight Information Region, a critical section of oceanic airspace used daily by aircraft crossing between North America and Europe.

Because much of the North Atlantic does not have radar coverage, the North Atlantic Tracks were created to ensure proper separation of aircraft and the efficiency of operations, given that the airspace is so congested, according to PaddleYourOwnKanoo.com.

The rocket-hazard area is right in what is known as the mid-North Atlantic track region between December 28 and December 30 that could require diversion to prevent an accident.

The area in question has very limited radar coverage, therefore the necessity of the advance warning of potential major air-traffic diversion to prevent an accident.

The missile-test area is used by numerous airlines flying between Asia and the U.S., forcing many airlines to make 300-mile detours around the restricted area.

The restrictions affect Bangor International Airport, a joint civil-military air field serving as a gateway to the region for international commercial flights and the base for the Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing.