Date: 201503
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: IMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Conflict Airborne Conflict
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Chart Or Publication; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: At 15 miles north of ZZZ1 at 3000 feet we initiated [contact with] Approach control.  We then called the ZZZ1 airport in sight.  Approach then responded with a descent to 2000 feet and turn left for traffic.  We heard approach control talking to a skydiving airplane; but were unsure where they were located.  We were then told to turn left even more to avoid skydiving traffic. The controller then asked the skydiving aircraft where the 'jumpers' were and the aircraft responded 'out of 3500 feet'.  At this time we were approaching abeam a 5 mile final to runway 22.  Moments later approach asked the skydiving aircraft if all the 'jumpers' were on the ground and the aircraft responded hesitantly with a 'no'.  We were then past the extended center line for runway 22 heading east at 2000 feet approximately 6nm to the North-Northeast of ZZZ1 when approach control then cleared us for the visual to 22. I then commenced a right turn to rejoin final and in the turn saw a red parachute jumper at what we estimate was less than 2nm.  I then increased my rate of turn to avoid the parachute jumper and the first officer was simultaneously asking approach if there was more than one jumper.  We were frantically scanning the area to make sure there were no other jumpers in our immediate vicinity; and we never were able to see or confirm if there was more than one parachute jumper in the vicinity.  The remainder of the approach and landing occurred without incident.When talking with ZZZ1 tower after landing it was brought to our attention that skydiving is common over an airport called ZZZ2 which apparently is about 6nm North-East of the ZZZ1 airport.  Having knowledge of this on the Jepp chart or on our 10-7 pages would be helpful.Skydiving operations over ZZZ2 although outside of controlled airspace are apparently overseen by approach control.  I am not certain how they do this; but having approach control advise of skydiving operations near a class D airport with commercial operations seems critical.  Having them say something like 'skydiving operations are taking place over ZZZ2 airport; use caution' just doesn't work.  We do not carry VFR charts and do not know where airports like ZZZ2 exist.  It would be better if they used a well know airport or VOR for reference.The controller at one point was asking the skydiving aircraft for reference on where the 'jumpers' were.  While he may have the best reference; in this case I think the skydive aircraft was climbing; lost sight of the 'jumpers' below him and just gave a guess to approach control as to where they were. This cannot be used as an adequate resource for separating skydivers from an IFR aircraft.




Synopsis: An MD80 Captain reported an airborne conflict with skydivers while on an approach to ZZZ1.