NOTAM
Notice to Air Missions
Last updated: April 20, 2026 · Maintained by Aviatr Editorial Team
What is NOTAM?
A NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions, formerly Notice to Airmen) is a coded notice issued by an aviation authority alerting pilots to temporary changes in airspace, runway availability, navigation aids, lighting, procedures, or other operational hazards that are not yet shown on published aeronautical charts.
How is NOTAM used?
Pilots are required by EASA regulations to review relevant NOTAMs as part of pre-flight planning for every flight — a legal obligation reinforced at every checkride. NOTAMs are filed in a strict ICAO code format covering the affected location, effective period, and subject. A typical NOTAM reading 'RWY 07/25 CLSD DUE WIP' tells the pilot that runway 07/25 is closed due to work in progress. NOTAMs flag runway closures, navaid outages, temporary restricted airspace, airshow activity, ATC procedure changes, and wildlife hazards. Most European NOTAM services (Eurocontrol EAD, ICAO SADIS) are free and accessed via pre-flight briefing portals or flight-planning software. Ignoring a NOTAM that materially affects a flight is a violation of operating rules and a common finding in post-incident investigations involving general aviation pilots. Dedicated 'graphical NOTAM' services now plot advisories directly onto aeronautical charts, making critical information easier to spot during planning at unfamiliar airports or on cross-border flights.