New air traffic procedures for lost communications and emergency descent took effect across EU airspace on May 1 under updates to the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA). These revisions, which apply in all EU member states regardless of national AIP publication status, include a second transponder code for IFR operations, new altitude retention timing, and clarified controller and pilot actions during emergency descent.
According to Belgian air navigation service provider Skeyes, “the most notable difference is the introduction of a new SSR code 7601.” The revised rules require IFR aircraft that lose communications but elect to continue flying in visual meteorological conditions to squawk 7601, a new SSR code introduced in SERA 14083. Aircraft that continue on an IFR clearance without diverting in VMC must still use 7600, the long-established lost comms code.
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