Establishment of RMZs, TMZs and FPMZs

Regulation (EU) 923/2012 of 26 September 2012 laying down the Air Regulation and common operational provisions for air navigation services and procedures (SERA) lays down in paragraph SERA.6005 the requirements for communications and SSR transponder. In particular, for Compulsory Radio Areas (RMZ) and Compulsory Transponder Areas (TMZ) it provides as follows:

mandatory radio area (RMZ)

1. VFR flights operating in parts of Class E, F or G airspaces and IFR flights operating in parts of Class F or G airspace designated as Compulsory Radio Areas (RMZs) by the competent authority shall be kept on the watch of continuous aeroground communication by voice and shall establish a two-way communication, as necessary, through the appropriate communication channel, unless they have to comply with alternative provisions established by the air navigation service provider for that particular airspace.
2. Before entering a mandatory radio area, pilots shall make an initial call, via the appropriate communication channel, containing the designation of the station to which it is called, the flag of the flight, the type of aircraft, the position, level, the intentions of the flight and other information prescribed by the competent authority.

mandatory transponder area (TMZ)

1. All flights operating in an airspace designated by the Competent Authority as a Compulsory Transponder Area (TMZ) shall carry on board and use SSR transponders capable of operating in Modes A and C or Mode S, unless they have to comply with alternative arrangements established by the air navigation service provider for that particular airspace.”

mandatory flight plan submission area (FPMZ)

In addition, the SERA Regulation in its section SERA.4001 lays down the requirements for the submission of flight plans. In accordance with these requirements, areas where the submission of a flight plan is mandatory (FPMZ) will be established for all aircraft operating on the flight plan.

In accordance with these SERA requirements, Article 36(2) of Royal Decree 1180/2018 of 21 September 2018 implementing the Air Regulation and common operational provisions for air navigation services and procedures provides that:

By decision of the Director of the State Aviation Safety Agency, following a report from CIDEFO (now CIDETMA), the following shall be determined:

areas and routes referred to in SERA.4001(b), 3 and 4 (b
) Parts of Class E, F, and G airspace designated as Compulsory Radio Areas (RMZ); (c
) Compulsory Transponder Areas (TMZ).

The areas referred to in point (a) above are the so-called mandatory flight plan submission zones (FPMZs).

The following are the GUIDES containing the requirements to be met by the RMZ, TMZ and FPMZ determination request.

• Application for Compulsory Radio Zones (RMZ):
  • Application Guide to Determination of Compulsory Radio Areas (RMZ)
• Application for Compulsory Transponder Zones (TMZ):
  • Application Guide to Determination of Compulsory Transponder Areas (TMZ)
• Application for Compulsory Flight Plan Presentation Zones (FPMZ):
  • Application Guide for Determination of Compulsory Flight Plan Presentation Zones (FPMZ)

To request the establishment of any of these areas, you can use the following processes defined in the Electronic Headquarters:

• Airspace areas for the mandatory use of radio, transponder or flight plan

For inquiries you can use email: consultas.ea.aesa@seguridadaerea.es

Resolutions already published:

• Resolution of July 12, 2024 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Mandatory Transponder Zone (TMZ) in the south of the island of Gran Canaria.
• Resolution of July 12, 2024 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Mandatory Radio Zone (RMZ) in the south of the island of Gran Canaria.
• Resolution of June 16, 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio zone (RMZ) in the FIZ of Córdoba.
• Resolution of 16 June 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of an obligatory flight plan submission area (FPMZ) in the FIZ of Córdoba.
• Resolution of 28 February 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory flight plan submission area (FPMZ) at FIZ Burgos..
• Resolution of 28 February 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio zone (RMZ) in the FIZ de Burgos
• Resolution of 28 March 2022 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio area (RMZ) at Ontur aerodrome (LEOT)
• Resolution of 25 March 2022 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio area (RMZ) at the Barcelona-Bagés Aerodrome (LEMS)
• Resolution of 2 December 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio area (RMZ) at the El Pinar de Castellón (LECN) aerodrome correcting the Resolution of 4 November 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio area (RMZ) at the El Pinar de Castellón aerodrome (LECN).
• Resolution of 5 November 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio area (RMZ) at the Requena aerodrome (VALENCIA)
• Resolution of 5 November 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio area (RMZ) at La Matilla aerodrome (LETC)
• Resolution of 4 November 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio area (RMZ) at the El Berriel aerodrome (GRAN CANARIA)
• Resolution of 27 October 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Compulsory Radio Area (RMZ) at the Ampuriabrava aerodrome
• Resolution of 26 October 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Compulsory Radio Area (RMZ) at the Juliana aerodrome
• Resolution of 25 October 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Compulsory Radio Zone (RMZ) at the Santa Cilia aerodrome (Huesca)
• Resolution of 22 October 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Compulsory Radio Area (RMZ) in Murcia- Totana Airfield
• Resolution of 22 October 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Compulsory Radio Zone (RMZ) at Los Oteros — León aerodrome
• Resolution of 14 October 2021 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the creation of mandatory transponder use zones (TMZ)
• Resolution of 22 December 2020 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the determination of mandatory flight plan submission zones (FPMZ), in accordance with Royal Decree 1180/2018 (amended by Resolution of 20 January 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory flight plan presentation area (FPMZ) in La Fiz de Córdoba, by Resolution of 28 February 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory flight plan submission area (FPMZ) in the FIZ of Burgos) and by Resolution of 18 October 2024 of the Aviation Safety State Agency for the designation of a Flight Plan Mandatory Presentation Zone (FPMZ) associated with the FIZ of Huesca.)
• Resolution of 13 February 2020 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the creation of a Compulsory Presentation Zone for Flight Plans at Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell airport.
• Resolution of 29 January 2020 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the creation of a Compulsory Radio Zone (RMZ) at Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell airport
• Resolution of 17 June 2019 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the creation of a Compulsory Radio Area (RMZ) at Menorca airport
• Resolution of 17 April 2019 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the creation of a Compulsory Radio Zone (RMZ), and the Compulsory Flight Plan of Ciudad Real Airport.
• Resolution of 23 February 2018 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of Compulsory Radio Areas (RMZ) in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (SERA Regulation) amended by Resolution of 20 January 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio zone (RMZ) in La Fiz de Córdoba, by Resolution of 28 February 2023 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a mandatory radio zone (RMZ) in the FIZ of Burgos) and by Resolution of 18 October 2024 of the State Aviation Safety Agency for the designation of a Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ) associated with the FIZ of Huesca.)