This page explains NOTAM structure and provides worked examples. It does not issue, verify, or substitute for official NOTAMs. Operational use requires verified NOTAMs from the issuing state’s Aeronautical Information Service.
NOTAM Decoder
How to Read a NOTAM — With Worked Examples
A NOTAM tells you, in a fixed structured format, that something about the airspace, airport, or navigation infrastructure has changed. The format is deliberately terse to pack maximum information into minimum bytes. Once the structure clicks, reading a NOTAM takes twenty seconds. This page walks through the structure, the key codes, and worked examples for airspace closures, GPS interference, and runway restrictions.
What Is the Structure of a NOTAM?
A NOTAM consists of a header, a Q-line (ICAO Q-code line), and items A through E. Item F and G exist for AIP supplements and are rarely seen in operational NOTAMs.
A1234/26 NOTAMN Q) OIIX/QARLC/IV/NBO/E/000/999/3233N05335E025 A) OIIX B) 2602111200 C) 2602161200 D) DAILY 0800-2000 E) ACFT OPS PROHIBITED WI CIRCLE RADIUS 25NM CENTRE 3233N05335E DUE TO MILITARY ACT. F) SFC G) UNL
Series letter (A, B, C...), sequence number (1234), year (26), and type. NOTAMN = new, NOTAMR = replaces a previous NOTAM, NOTAMC = cancels a previous NOTAM.
FIR (OIIX = Tehran FIR) / Q-code (QARLC = restricted area closed) / traffic (IV = IFR+VFR) / purpose (NBO = N immediate, B briefing, O flight plan) / scope (E = en-route) / lower altitude / upper altitude / coordinates with radius in NM.
OIIX = Tehran FIR in this example. Can be an airport ICAO (EDDF, KJFK) when the NOTAM applies to a single aerodrome.
Always UTC. Format YYMMDDHHMM. 2602111200 = 11 February 2026 at 12:00 UTC.
UTC in the same format. PERM means permanent. EST after the time means estimated end — the NOTAM may be extended.
Recurring time pattern when the NOTAM is not continuous. "DAILY 0800-2000" means in force 08:00-20:00 UTC every day during the B-to-C window.
The human-readable description. Uses ICAO abbreviations (ACFT = aircraft, WI = within, NM = nautical miles, SFC = surface, UNL = unlimited).
F = lower limit (SFC = surface, or a flight level/altitude). G = upper limit (UNL = unlimited, or a flight level). When both are UNL the NOTAM has no vertical limit.
What Do the Q-Codes Mean?
Every Q-code is five characters. The first is always Q. The next two identify the subject. The last two identify the condition or status. Some common subject prefixes:
| Prefix | Subject area |
|---|---|
| QA | Airspace organisation (airspace, FIR, airways) |
| QF | Facilities and services (fuel, parking, de-icing) |
| QG | GNSS services (including GPS spoofing/jamming) |
| QI | Instrument and microwave landing systems |
| QM | Movement area (runways, taxiways) |
| QN | Terminal and en-route navigation aids (VOR, NDB, DME) |
| QO | Obstacles |
| QR | Restrictions — restricted, prohibited, danger areas |
| QW | Warnings (warning, hazardous activity) |
| QX | Other |
The status suffix pairs common across Q-codes include:
| Suffix | Condition |
|---|---|
| LC | Closed |
| LT | Limited |
| CA | Activated |
| CD | Deactivated |
| AS | Unserviceable |
| AK | Resumed normal operations |
| HX | No specific working hours |
Worked Examples
A0987/25 NOTAMN Q) OPLR/QARLC/IV/NBO/E/000/999/3132N07420E099 A) OPLR B) 2504240000 C) 2505072359 EST E) PAKISTAN AIRSPACE CLOSED TO ALL INDIAN REGISTERED ACFT INCL SCHEDULED CIVIL. TRANSIT OF OPLR PROHIBITED. F) SFC G) UNL
Decoded:
- Pakistan Lahore FIR (OPLR)
- Restricted area closed (QARLC), all traffic (IV), full altitude (SFC to UNL)
- Effective 24 Apr 2025 00:00 UTC, estimated end 07 May 2025 23:59 UTC
- Item E: Pakistan airspace closed to all Indian-registered aircraft including scheduled civil. Transit of OPLR prohibited.
- "EST" means end is estimated — in practice this NOTAM was extended repeatedly and remains active in 2026
B0456/26 NOTAMN Q) LCCC/QGAXX/IV/BO/E/000/999/3515N03315E200 A) LCCC B) 2604010000 C) 2606302359 E) GPS INTERFERENCE INCL SPOOFING AND JAMMING RPTD WI 200NM RADIUS OF 3515N03315E. ACFT SHOULD BE PREPARED TO REVERT TO CONVENTIONAL NAV. RPT INCIDENTS TO ATC. F) SFC G) UNL
Decoded:
- Nicosia FIR (LCCC)
- Q-code QGAXX — GNSS (QG) with "XX" placeholder for general warning
- Effective 01 Apr 2026 00:00 UTC to 30 Jun 2026 23:59 UTC
- Item E: GPS interference including spoofing and jamming reported within a 200NM radius of the specified point. Aircraft should be prepared to revert to conventional navigation. Report incidents to ATC.
- This type of NOTAM is issued in the Eastern Mediterranean on rolling multi-month cycles
A0112/26 NOTAMR A0089/26 Q) EDDF/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5002N00834E005 A) EDDF B) 2604220600 C) 2604220900 E) RWY 07L/25R CLSD DUE WIP. F) SFC G) UNL
Decoded:
- Frankfurt (EDDF)
- NOTAMR A0089/26 — this NOTAM replaces A0089/26
- Q-code QMRLC — movement area (QM), runway, closed (LC)
- Effective 22 Apr 2026 06:00-09:00 UTC
- Item E: Runway 07L/25R closed due to work in progress (WIP)
Common ICAO Abbreviations in Item E
Where to Find Official NOTAMs
NOTAMs are issued by each state's Aeronautical Information Service (AIS). For operational use, always retrieve NOTAMs from the issuing state's official source or a certified provider. Some free public-access sources:
- ›FAA NOTAM Search — US domestic NOTAMs, all series.
- ›EUROCONTROL European AIS Database (EAD) — NOTAMs across EASA member and partner states (registration required for full access).
- ›ICAO Integrated Aeronautical Information Package — global reference for AIP structure and integration.
- ›National AIS portals — each state publishes its own AIP and NOTAM feed. Accuracy and latency vary significantly.
Related Reference
Educational reference only. Examples are illustrative and do not constitute current operational NOTAMs. FlySafe does not issue, aggregate, or redistribute official NOTAMs. Operational use requires verified NOTAMs from the issuing state's Aeronautical Information Service. See Terms of Service for full details.