Air carrier captain reported the operations manager was unable to help the crew during an in-flight ...

Narrative:

On initial approach into ZZZ at first flap extension the flaps had an asymmetric condition that stopped the flaps between up and 1 degree; the leds (leading edge devices) went to the extend position; no roll experienced. Upon noticing the first officer elected to level off and follow the approach track and published missed approach. We informed ATC that we were experiencing a flight control problem and that we would be entering holding. We ran the flap trailing edge asymmetry QRH and decided not to land at ZZZ due to the short runway and degraded runway conditions. We then debated on proceeding to ZZZ1 or ZZZ2. We could not proceed to our filed alternate of ZZZ3 due to the increased fuel burn with the leds extended. With a quick rough calculation we decided we had enough fuel to proceed to ZZZ2 that had the longest runway. We contacted dispatch and they concurred on proceeding to ZZZ2. We then climbed to FL190 and cruised at 220 knots IAS. We ran the all flaps up QRH and landed at ZZZ2 uneventfully. Dispatch tried to call operations manager but he was dealing with another call.[I suggest] maybe dedicating someone else to 'covid' situations that took operations manager away from being able to assist us. Also having tanked fuel was great because it gave us the option to go to a long runway.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported the Operations Manager was unable to help the crew during an in-flight mechanical problem due to being involved with a COVID-19 situation.

Narrative: On initial approach into ZZZ at first flap extension the flaps had an asymmetric condition that stopped the flaps between up and 1 degree; the LEDs (Leading Edge Devices) went to the extend position; no roll experienced. Upon noticing the FO elected to level off and follow the approach track and published missed approach. We informed ATC that we were experiencing a flight control problem and that we would be entering holding. We ran the flap trailing edge asymmetry QRH and decided not to land at ZZZ due to the short runway and degraded runway conditions. We then debated on proceeding to ZZZ1 or ZZZ2. We could not proceed to our filed alternate of ZZZ3 due to the increased fuel burn with the LEDs extended. With a quick rough calculation we decided we had enough fuel to proceed to ZZZ2 that had the longest runway. We contacted Dispatch and they concurred on proceeding to ZZZ2. We then climbed to FL190 and cruised at 220 knots IAS. We ran the ALL FLAPS UP QRH and landed at ZZZ2 uneventfully. Dispatch tried to call Operations Manager but he was dealing with another call.[I suggest] maybe dedicating someone else to 'COVID' situations that took Operations Manager away from being able to assist us. Also having tanked fuel was great because it gave us the option to go to a long runway.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1766001
Time
Date	202010
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Flap Control (Trailing & Leading Edge)
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Air carrier captain reported the operations manager was unable to help the crew during an in-flight mechanical problem due to being involved with a covid-19 situation.