Transatlantic Flights Grounded as Canadian Air Traffic Control Center Evacuated

[NYCA News]

NYCAviation:

Transatlantic Flights Grounded as Canadian Air Traffic Control Center Evacuated (http://nycaviation.com/2011/01/transatlantic-flights-grounded-as-canadian-air-traffic-control-center-evacuated/)

Flights scheduled to cross the north Atlantic were grounded Thursday morning after a fire broke out at a key air traffic control center in northeastern Canada.
[Click to Read Full Article (http://nycaviation.com/2011/01/transatlantic-flights-grounded-as-canadian-air-traffic-control-center-evacuated/)]

[USAF Pilot 07]

That really sucks.

I'm pretty sure there are procedures in the MNPS that deals with coasting out in the event of communication loss with Gander; in fact I think it specifically mentions what to if they for some reason have an evacuation; but I'm pretty sure that's only for aircraft that are already airborne. I'll have to look it up; it may also be that diverting is the only option if you haven't received your oceanic clearance (it's probably what I'd do, especially crossing the busy Atlantic). I know the only place you're not allowed to physically coast-out without a clearance is Shanwick - they expect you to hold at the coast-out point until a clearance is received.

In any case, looks like things are back to normal. Not a good past year for Atlantic crossings, between the Volcano, this and other little things...