The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has issued Civil Aviation Circular (CAC) 01/2026, introducing revisions to certain requirements and guidance under CAD 11 – Air Traffic Services.
The circular was issued on 12 March 2026 and applies to Air Traffic Services (ATS) providers. According to CAAM, the circular introduces updated definitions, fatigue management requirements, and duty limitation parameters for air traffic control services.
The updates aim to align existing requirements with international safety standards, including those outlined under ICAO Annex 11.
Introduction
CAC 01/2026 was issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia under the powers conferred by Section 240 of the Civil Aviation Act 1969 (Act 3).
CAAM notes that the circular, together with its attachments, forms a legally binding document that supersedes relevant paragraphs within the current published requirements, procedures, or guidance contained in the applicable Civil Aviation Directives (CADs).
The updated standards and procedures introduced in the circular will be incorporated into the next planned revision cycle of the relevant CAD documents.
Updated Definitions for Air Traffic Services
The circular introduces updates to Chapter 1.4 – Definitions, providing clarification on the roles of key entities involved in air traffic services.
Under the revised definitions:
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ATS Provider (ATSP) refers to the organisation designated by CAAM to provide air traffic services within the relevant airspace.
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ATS Regulator refers to the authority designated by CAAM responsible for overseeing and regulating air traffic control services.
CAAM indicated that these revised definitions were introduced to improve clarity in the regulatory framework.
Fatigue Management Requirements for ATSP
CAC 01/2026 introduces updated requirements relating to fatigue risk management for air traffic control services.
Under the revised provisions, ATS providers must establish and comply with systems designed to ensure that air traffic controllers maintain adequate levels of alertness while performing operational duties.
ATSPs may meet these requirements through:
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Prescriptive scheduling limits in accordance with Appendix 5, or
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The implementation of a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) in accordance with Appendix 6.
Where an FRMS is implemented, the system must be integrated with the organisation’s Safety Management System (SMS) and approved by CAAM.
Operational Scheduling and Duty Limitations
The circular also revises duty limitation parameters for air traffic controllers.
Key parameters include:
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A maximum duty period of 12 hours.
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An aggregate duty limit of 200 hours within 720 consecutive hours (30 days).
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A minimum rest period of 12 hours between duty periods.
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A limit of no more than six consecutive duty days.
In situations where six consecutive duty days occur, a minimum rest interval of 60 hours must be provided before the next duty cycle begins.
Night Duties and On-Call Requirements
CAC 01/2026 also provides updated requirements for night duties and on-call arrangements.
Key provisions include:
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Night duty is defined as a period between 0200 and 0529 local time.
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A duty covering this period must not exceed 10 hours.
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No more than three consecutive night duties may be scheduled.
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On-call duties are limited to no more than three within a seven-day period.
The circular also specifies that the maximum on-call period without reporting to the workplace must not exceed 20 hours.
Responsibilities of ATS Providers and Controllers
The updated guidance outlines responsibilities for both ATS providers and air traffic controllers.
ATS providers are required to:
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Prepare duty rosters in advance to allow adequate planning of rest periods.
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Ensure minimum non-work periods allow sufficient sleep and recovery.
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Provide opportunities for meal breaks when duty periods exceed six hours.
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Maintain records demonstrating compliance with duty limits for inspection by the regulator.
Air traffic controllers must also avoid performing safety-related tasks when they are aware that fatigue may impair their ability to perform duties safely.
Incorporation into Future CAD Revisions
CAAM indicated that the revisions introduced through CAC 01/2026 will be incorporated into the next revision cycle of the relevant Civil Aviation Directives.
The circular was issued by Dato’ Captain Norazman Bin Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, on 12 March 2026.
Source: Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Civil Aviation Circular CAC 01/2026.
