Description

Global airspace is divided into nine International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) air navigation regions, sometimes called Global Air Navigation Plan regions. Airspace is divided further into Flight Information Regions (FIRs).

This article notes basic FIR concepts, definitions and terms, and lists a few examples of problems being addressed through the established mechanisms for changing FIRs and upgrading air traffic control (ATC) capabilities.

Definitions

The EUROCONTROL ATM Lexicon defines FIR as “An airspace of defined dimensions within which flight information service and alerting service are provided.” EUROCONTROL credits ICAO Annex 2 – Rules of the Air, 2005, as this definition’s official source.