News
2013
22 May, 2013
FAB CE CEO Meeting held in Vienna – Dragan Bilać new CEOC Chairman
The 11th FAB CE CEO Meeting was held in Vienna on May 21. In accordance with the ANSP agreement the chairmanship was transferred from the current chairman Johann Zemsky, Austro Control to Dragan Bilać, Director General of Croatia Control. The transfer will go into effect June 1, the term will run for one year.
Dragan Bilać (1970) graduated from the Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing.
He started his career in the Technical Division of Croatia Airlines, continued it in Siemens Information and Communication and came to Croatia Control Ltd (CCL) in 2003, where he was first appointed as safety manager of CroATMP (Croatian Air Traffic Management Modernisation Project).
He also led the implementation of the safety management system (SMS) in CCL and, from 2007 to February 2013, he was in charge of the CCL Safety and Quality Department. He was FAB CE Safety Sub-Committee Manager (2008-2013) and Eurocontrol Safety Team Member (2007-2013). In March 2013 he was appointed Director General of CCL.
Among other topics discussed at the FAB CEOC were updates on the status of Subcommittee activities as well as the ongoing FAB CE Strategy Development.
05 April, 2013
FAB CE Strategy update under development
After the formal establishment of FAB CE on December 4th, 2012 the FAB CE CEO Committee adopted the FAB CE “Strategic Orientation” leading to a FAB CE Strategy update by the end of 2013, which should reflect the goals of Single European Sky, the European Network Strategy Plan as well as SESAR. The task was assigned to four newly appointed task forces: “Cost Containment”, “Common Business and Performance Planning”, “Staff Usage” and “Concept of Operation”. Together with the Subcommittees and the Program Manager they will provide input to the strategy development process. The most important goal is to develop a common FAB CE Performance Plan which will serve as foundation for reaching the Single European Sky performance targets still to be determined for RP 2 (2015 – 2019).
25 March, 2013
10th FAB CE CEO Committee meeting held in Ljubljana
The 10th FAB CE CEO Committee took place in Ljubljana on March 22nd on the premises of Slovenia Control. The main topics on the agenda included the on-going FAB CE strategy development and an update on coordination procedures for the FAB Performance Body. The CEOs as well as other meeting participants took the opportunity to pay a visit to the recently opened ACC.
14 March, 2013
Project Functional Integration of ASM/ATFCM Processes - Final Report
The ASM/ATFCM integrated process was recognized as a key element to improve FAB CE operation by 2015. Within FAB CE this project was set up to investigate how regional ASM/ATFCM processes can be integrated and implemented.
This included:
- Analysis of the current situation
- Validation of possible solutions for improvements through simulations and trials
- Live Trial (May 2012) and Real Time Simulation (October 2012)
- Support the development of validation and implementation process in the FAB CE
- Production of ASM operational requirements to achieve consistency for the region
Final report - recommendations (2013-2015)
The recommendations of the final report include among other points the continued harmonization and upgrades of National ASM/ATFCM systems for 2013 – 2015 and the development of harmonized integrated FAB CE ASM/ATFCM processes, based on the results of the Live Trial.
In terms of safety assessment activities, the main focus will be on reviewing and validating the assumptions made within the scope of the preliminary safety assessment activities during the pre-implementation and implementation phase as well as carrying out detailed pre-implementation safety assessment of the particular integration model selected for implementation.
Leaflet 1 - Final Project Report
Leaflet 2 - Report Real Time Simulation
20 February, 2013
Bosnia-Herzegovina ratifies FAB CE Agreement
Bosnia-Herzegovina has become the seventh and final state to ratify the FAB CE Agreement. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Slovenia informed the contracting states, the respective Instrument of ratification was deposited on February 6th, 2013. The agreement will subsequently enter into force for Bosnia-Herzegovina on April 7, 2013.
13 February, 2013
EU Notice on FAB CE published
The Notice concerning the implementation of Article 9a(7) of Regulation (EC) No 550/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of air navigation services in the single European sky (Publication of Member States' decisions establishing functional airspace blocks) regarding FAB CE has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Notice (2013/C 31/10).
06 February, 2013
FAB CE-wide "Free-Route" Airspace to become operational by 2018
„Free Route Airspace“ Concept in FAB CE - Users will be able to freely plan a route between a defined entry and exit point, with the possibility to route via intermediate (published or unpublished) way points, without reference to the ATS route network.
Implementation of “Free Route Airspace” has already begun in Croatia and Austria. The step by step realisation within FAB CE will result in incremental benefits by applying “Free Route Airspace” structures and principles and deploying “Free Route Airspace” stepwise across the borders to a FAB CE-wide implementation by 2018 thereby substantially improving horizointal flight efficiency within the FAB.
21 January, 2013
9th FAB CE CEO Committee meeting held in Vienna
The 9th FAB CE CEO Committee took place in Vienna on January 18th.The main topics on the agenda included the on-going FAB CE strategy development, an update on project activities by the Program Manager as well as TEN-T financing.
14 January, 2013
FAB CE established: Substantial Benefits for Airlines and Passengers
The successful launch of FAB CE on December 4th represents a major milestone in the implementaion of Single European Sky. The flow of air traffic in the Central European Region will see significant improvements over the coming years generating substantial benefits for airlines and passengers. The overall added value of all FAB CE projects has recently been summarized in a detailed document.
Through the implementation of the FAB CE Airspace Plan around 4 million km are saved in excess route distance by 2015 from route improvements, increasing to 14.7 million km saved by 2018, with the implementation of “Free Route Airspace”. The consequent savings in CO2 emissions are 44,260 tons by 2015 and 162,150 tons by 2018. More than 70 proposals for route optmisiations are to be implemented within FAB CE as part of the Airspace Plan. The FAB wide „Free Route Airspace“ should be fully operational by 2018.
As of January 1, Croatia in accordance with the FAB Agreement has assumed the presidency of the FAB CE Council for 2013.
2012
21. November 2012
FAB CE on track as December 4th approaches
As the December 4th deadline approaches the European Commission has formally been notified on the establishment of FAB CE and the jointly designated air traffic service providers within FAB CE. The overall added value of all FAB CE projects has also recently been summarized in a detailed document.
Notification to EC on establishment of FAB CE
Information on jointly designated ANSPs
Overall added value of all FAB CE Projects
14 November 2012
8th FAB CE CEO Committee meeting held in Vienna
The 8th FAB CE CEO Committee took place in Vienna on November 12th.The main topics on the agenda included the on-going FAB CE strategy development and an update on project activities by the Program Manager.
The next CEO Committee meeting will be held on January 18th in Vienna.
29 October 2012
FAB CE Response to observations submitted during EC Consultation Process
FAB CE has duly considered the observations in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 176/2011 and has put together a detailed and thorough response to the observations made during the EC Consultation Process. The submitted documents can be found here.
19 October 2012
2nd Social Dialogue Forum 2012 held in Budapest
The 2nd Social Dialgoue Forum 2012 was held in Budapest on the premises of Hungarocontrol on October 17th. Among the items on the Agenda were:
- Project Status
- EC Consultation Process
- Social Partners' Position Paper on ATCO mobility
- SD Charter
- Effects of RP2 on FAB CE
- ATCO Retirement Age
The resepctive presentations can be found in the SD Members Area
24 September 2012
FABCE ASM/ATFCM functional integration:
Real Time Simulation from 15th of October 2012 until 26th of October 2012 at Eurocontrol HQ, Brussels
In addition to the Live Trial, executed in May 2012, three different scenarios will be performed during the Real Time Simulation from 15th of October until 26th of October 2012 at Eurocontrol`s Headquarter in Brussels.
The functional integration of the ASM and ATFCM coordination functions at FAB CE level is considered one of the major improvements provided by FAB implementation. The current different ASM/ATFCM organisational solutions as well as process and procedures in place need to be improved. The centralisation of ASM/ATFCM coordination functions at FAB level will provide a harmonised implementation of process and procedures supporting an enhanced cooperation among FAB CE States for a better utilisation of airspace.
The FAB CE ASM/ATFCM integration Real time simulation will be run from 15th of October 2012 until 26th of October 2012 and will examine the practicalities of application of ASM /ATFCM coordination procedures and ASM coordination tools in the FAB CE environment. It will assess the interactions between the National AMCs, FMPs and the NM, the workloads of the various actors, and the CDR availability notification process. It will also measure, both subjectively and objectively, the benefit of the procedures.
The Real Time Simulation is focusing on identifying and testing operational coordination procedures on the FAB level in the pre-tactical phase:
- between National AMCs and FAB CE ATFCM coordinator (function) and Network Manager, or
- between National FMPs and FAB CE ASM coordinator (function) and Network Manager and finally,
- between FAB CE Network Operations Centre (ASM/ATFCM coordination function) and Network Manager
Main purpose of the Real Time Simulation training is to prepare AMC and FMP staff from FAB CE States/ANSPs in the operational use of required system support and procedures, developed for the purpose of the execution of Real Time Simulation.
The geographical scope of this Real Time Simulation comprises the airspace of FIR’s of all seven FAB CE States, namely: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
14 September 2012
7th FAB CE CEO Committee meeting held in Vienna
The 7th FAB CE CEO Committee took place in Vienna on September 13th. Among the main topics discussed were the FAB CE strategy development, the approval of the FAB CE "Free Route" concept and roadmap, enhancing the static scenario towards a "Free Move" scenario. The approval of a consolidated ANSP response to the observations raised in the context of the FAB CE consultation and the review of the improved project progress in 2012.
The final conclusions of this meeting represent a major step towards the successful implementation of FAB CE by December 2012.
14 June 2012
First FAB Workshop on Risk Assessment Tool
The RAT (Risk Assesment Tool) is a web based tool which supports the safety investigators to assess the risk of a particular incident and is one of three Safety KPIs as defined by EC regulation (safety management effectiveness, RAT tool and just culture measurement) . There are regular Eurocontrol workshops involving various ANSP representatives from Europe, including experts from FAB CE.
In order to achieve better harmonisation within FAB CE, the Safety Sub-Committee arranged with Eurocontrol the specific workshop on “Risk Assessment Tool usage for FABCE ANSPs“, which took place in Prague in February. This was one of the first workshops for a FAB dedicated to this topic.
16 experts from FAB CE attended and after an introductory presentation by Eurocontrol, exchanged experiences with risk assessment regarding variuos types of safety occurrences. The overall purpose is to achieve an harmonised level of risk assessment.
11 June 2012
EC Consultation Meeting held on June 8
The EC Consulatation and Stakeholder meeting was held in Brussels on June 8.
Over 40 stakeholder representatives, ranging from aisrpace users to staff representatives and other FABs, took the opportunity to get the latest information on the ongoing establishment of FAB CE and exchange views on a wide variety of issues. Topics included among others the organisational structure of FAB CE as well as the current status of major projects. The presentations by the FAB CE representatives were followed by questions and answers. The EC stressed that the consultation meeting was not part of the formal assessment that would commence after December 4th. The consultation primarily served as a clarification of the submitted documents and as an information platform for interested stakeholders.
In accordance with EU Legislation regarding the consultation process all FABs have to provide a set of comprehensive documents by June 24. The submitted FAB CE documents as well as the presentations can be found here.
04 June 2012
6th FAB CE CEO Committee meeting held in Vienna
The 6th FAB CE CEO Committee was held in Vienna on June 1st. Among the main topics discussed were the preparations for the upcoming EC Consultation meeting and the priorities leading up to the FAB CE implementation on December 4th. In addition, a streamlining of the FAB CE organizational structure was on the agenda, with the aim of differentiating more clearly between strategic and operational aspects of FAB CE.
As special guest the European Director Network Management, Jaques Dopagne, gave a presentation on the cooperation with FAB CE. In his conclusions he emphasized the good infrastructure and route network in FAB CE. He also praised the fact that the FAB CE Airspace plan as well as the Network operation plan were well in line with European Network Plan.
In accordance with the rules of procedure of the FAB CE ANSP Agreement the Chairmanship was handed over from Jan Klas (ANS CZ) to Johann Zemsky (Austro Control).
21 May 2012
Update on FAB CE Agreement Ratification Process
The Slovak Republic has become the third state to ratify the FAB CE Agreement (FABA). With the prior ratification by Austria and Hungary and the respective deposit of the ratification instruments with the Republic of Slovenia the FAB CE Agreement officially entered into force for these states with March 20, 2012. For the Slovak Republic the agreement will enter into force on May 28th.
27 March 2012
Integration Live-Trial:
FAB CE Air Space Management/Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management (ASM/ATFCM)
The FAB CE ASM/ATFCM integration live-trial trial will examine coordination procedures and coordination tools in the FAB CE environment with Flexible Use of Airspace. The trial will be held from May 3rd to 31st and will include the airspace of six FAB CE States, namely: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. A national expert from Bosnia-Herzegovina will take part in the preparation and participate as observer during the trial period. A Safety assessment prior to the Live trial was successfully completed.
Expected results:
The trial will assess the interactions between the National Airspace Management Cells (AMCs), Flow Management Positions (FMPs) and the Network Manager including the workloads of the various parties, the activation and deactivation of restricted or segregated airspaces and the conditional route availability notification process. It will also measure, both subjectively and objectively, the benefit of the procedures. It will assess the available system support tools from Eurocontrol (NOP –Network operations portal and LARA – Local and Sub Regional Airspace Management Support System).
Key benefits:
- Improvement of performance (capacity, cost effectiveness, flight efficiency, environment)
- Enhancement of Civil - Military and Military - Military Cooperation
- Implementation of Flexible Use of Airspace Concept on FAB level
14 March 2012
1st Social Dialgue Forum 2012 held in Prague
The 1st Social Dialgoue Forum 2012 was held at Prague Jeneč at Czech ANS premises on 14 March 2012. More than 30 participants attended the meeting, co-chaired by Mr. Jan Klas, the current FAB CE CEOC Chairman, and by Mr. Janos Lakatos, Danube ATCU.
At the beginning of the meeting a detailed overview regarding the current status of the FAB CE projects was given by the FAB CE Program Manager. He informed about the imminent setting up of the Project Support Office (PSO) and concluded that Legal framework for compliance with SES shows no problem.
The "Procedure of Distribution of SD relevant information to SD partners" was discussed and 
noted that in the future some improvements concerning the flow of information should be made. The new FAB-CE website was presented, where current information and news on FAB CE developments will be made available to the public.
In addition, the "Social Partners´ Position Paper on ATCO mobility" was presented and discussed. The CEOC Chairman confirmed that no Forced Mobility is envisaged in FAB CE. The SD Partners’ Paper on Mobility will be distributed to the CEOC Meeting and commented by the CEOC Chairman.
It was noted the need expressed by the FABCE Alliance Representative to develop a Roadmap along the points in the Letter sent to the current FAB CE CEOC Chairman on the issue of taking care of all social aspects in FAB CE developments.
The next SD Forum 2012 will take place on October 17th.
13 March 2012
New FAB CE Website is online
We are pleased to announce, that the FAB CE Website has gone online. You will find alll the current information and developments regarding FAB CE on the site. We invite you to take a close look at www.fab-ce.eu. If you have any feedback or questions please let us know.
2011
08 Dec 2011
Social Dialogue in Prague
The 4th Social Dialogue Forum, which is the first in FAB CE Implementation Phase, was held on 24 November 2011, at Czech ANS premises in Prague. The Forum, co–chaired by Mr. Jan Klas, CEOC Chairman, and Mr. Norbert Payr, Danube ATCU, was attended by some 40 participants, representing all FAB CE Social Dialogue Partners. The main topics of discussion included a presentation of the new FAB CE organizational structure, a summary of the numerous projects with their current status and a special focus on Human Resources and training issues. The Forum proved to be successful and all Partners expressed their satisfaction with the meeting. This should represent the start of a new phase in FAB CE SD process. In his closing remarks CEO Chairman Jan Klas thanked all participants, stressing the importance of such meetings. He assured three Social Dialogue meetings in 2012 scheduled for March, June and October. In the future Management and Social Partners, he added, will prepare the next Agendas together, focusing on all the issues relevant to the parties involved.
30 Sep 2011
FAB CE Program Management Function established
By a decision of the FAB CE CEO Committee on September 30 a Program Management Function has been established for FAB CE. Ivan Hubert of ANS CZ (Photo) was appointed as the Program Manager. The main tasks of the Program Management Function will include:
- to support projects; to manage deliverables from projects;
- to request and receive regular project reports from project leaders;
- to evaluate the risks and changes; and
- to assess compliance with project requirements.
The Program Management Function will also produce regular Progress Reports and will propose actions to the Steering and CEO Committees. 
16 May 2011
Jan Klas elected new Chairman of the FAB CE CEO Committee
Jan Klas, CEO of the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic, was unanimously elected Chairman of the FAB CE CEO Committee (CEOC). This is the first chairmanship in accordance with the new ANSP Cooperation Agreement, which was signed on May 5 in Brdo, Slovenia. The term runs for one year, after which the Chairmanship is determined alphabetically. We wish the new Chairman the best of luck and a successful hand in moving the implementation of FAB CE forward. 
05 May 2011
Milestone for FAB-CE: FAB and ANSP Agreements signed
May 5th, 2011 marks an important milestone on the road to a successful implementation of FAB CE by December 2012. At Brdo Castle, Slovenia high ranking representatives from all FAB CE states, including Ministers of Transport and CEOs of the respective ANSPs, have, with their signature, laid the groundwork for the future cooperation on State as well as ANSP level. The following documents were signed:
- The FAB CE Agreement, a State Treaty defining the legal and structural framework for the implementation of FAB CE, while also determining the scope of services each State brings to the table.
- The ANSP agreement, which defines the cooperation between ANSPs with the goal of ensuring an efficient realisation of FAB CE on the operational level.
The spirit at today’s ceremony is very encouraging, in view of the work to be done in the coming months. FAB CE is on track and will play a vital part in the long term success of the Single European Sky.
16 Feb 2011
The CEO Committee of FAB CE meets in Vienna on February 16th 2011. The FAB CE Social Dialogue Charter is Signed.
During the FAB CE CEO Committee held in Vienna on February 16 the Social Dialogue Charter was signed. The main focus of the charter is to define the flow of information between the CEO Committee and Unions as well as special interest groups (e.g. IFATCA, ATCEUC, ETF, IFATSEA) in particular regarding workplace related issues. In this mutual exchange of information FAB CE documents, minutes and status reports will be provided. In a to be founded “Consultation Forum” SES II issues will be open for discussion to all partners on a regular basis and taken into account in the future decision making process. 