In the North Atlantic, you typically squawk 2000 ten minutes after the Oceanic Entry Point (OEP) , not immediately on entry. That 10-minute rule is now the standard across most NAT FIRs, with Reykjavik CTA noted as an exception because radar coverage still applies there.

Practical rule

  • Enter NAT airspace on the code you were assigned.
  • Switch to squawk 2000 10 minutes after OEP.
  • Do not do this in Reykjavik CTA, where the procedure differs.

Why it matters

The change was part of the move away from traditional oceanic clearances in much of the NAT region, with updated procedures reflecting better surveillance and datalink capability. In other words, the old “wait 30 minutes” habit is no longer the standard in the NAT region.

One caution

Procedures can still vary by FIR and current operational bulletin, so crews should always follow the latest NAT Doc 007 and local ATC instructions.

TL;DR: Squawk 2000 ten minutes after OEP in NAT airspace, except where local procedures say otherwise, such as Reykjavik CTA.