Article

The FAB CE legal entity, FCE Aviation Services, signed its first equipment contract on behalf of all six FAB CE member states on 26 June 2017. S&T Slovenija was selected following a competitive tender, issued in May, to deliver common regional telecommunications infrastructure to all six air navigation services providers (ANSPs) to support seamless exchange of data between FAB CE member states.

Under the single contract, the company is supplying common CISCO routers, in addition to support services for each user, directly to each country in the weeks ahead. The new routers replace an existing equipment network – due renewal – which is used to ensure seamless exchange of a range of messages including surveillance data, aeronautical messages, and to support On-Line Data interchange (OLDI) between FAB CE member states.

FCE Director Matej Eljon said: “We have completed our first infrastructure joint procurement with very good results. We’ve proved we can deliver common smart procurement at a price that meets our expectations.” The activity not only saved money compared to individual procurement country by country, but also secured a lower than estimated common price. The process is now available for use to carry out other smart procurement projects in the future.

To reach this point, FCE had to develop a process in-house that could be used to prepare common technical requirements. In addition, it established a way for ANSPs to be part of the approval process, and to execute the procurement. The work was completed over several months, and concluded with recommendation of the winning bid by the Procurement Assessment Committee. “The process was not there before so we had to invent the process internally,” said Matej. “Now we have proved that it works we are ready to execute procurement with much shorter lead times.”

Smart procurement is a key enabler for the harmonisation and optimisation of FAB CE operations, one of three high level initiatives set out in the FAB CE Strategy, along with safety and performance monitoring, and stakeholder communications. These activities are detailed in 15 FAB CE Strategy objectives which provide the framework for all FAB CE projects. The tasks and projects are updated regularly to ensure they are aligned with the Pilot Common Project, and reflect the goals of the broader European ATM Master Plan.

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.

2010

15 Dec 2010    

FAB CE CEO-Committee reaches agreement on ANSP Cooperation

At the meeting of the FAB CE CEO Committee on December 15 in Vienna an agreement was reached on the future cooperation of ANSPs.
       
Among the most important issues, this agreement defines the organisational structure as well as the decision making process in FAB CE. Main purpose of this agreement is to facilitate the implementation of FAB CE on the ANSP level with the main goal of improving the flow of air traffic in terms of safety, efficiency and environmental impact. This agreement reached by all FAB CE Partners represents a major milestone on route to a common functional airspaceblock by 2012."

19 May 2010    

The 3rd FAB CE Social Dialogue Workshop will be held in Vienna on 9th June 2010

The 3rd FAB CE Social Dialogue Workshop will be held in Vienna on 9th June 2010, starting at 09:00.

The draft Agenda and a Social Dialogue Charter have been sent to Social Partners for their input, together with all Deliverables of the Project’s Preparatory Phase.

Preparatory meetings at level of Working Group (OPS TECH and HR) and Social Partners experts are being also proposed for the 8th June afternoon, in Vienna.

19 May 2010    

FAB CE CEO Committee approved all deliverables of the FAB CE Preparatory phase

FAB CE CEO Committee approved on 4th May 2010 all deliverables of the FAB CE Preparatory phase under MoC, including:
The FAB CE Implementation Plan and its eigth annexes
Performance and Safety Assessment
A Legal Analysis of possible vehicle for the ANSP Cooperation
         

05 Jan 2010    

2nd FAB Central Europe (FAB CE) Stakeholders and 2nd SD Workshop Conclusions and Minutes
     
The Conclusions and Minutes, PPT Presentations and Photos related to the 2nd FAB Central Europe (FAB CE) Stakeholders and 2nd SD Workshop are now available for download and consultation.

Meeting Minutes and List of Participants
Meeting minutes
List of participant to FAB CE 2nd Workshop
   
PPT Presentations
FAB CE Project Overview
FAB CE Initial Scenario
FAB CE Implementation Plan
EC
IATA
FAB CE SD   
   
Photos
EC Speaker Mr. Olivier Waldner
FAB CE Speakers Mr. D. Bonda, Mr. P. Oberhofer, Mr. I.Hubert, Mr. J. Klas, Mr. J. Zemsky
IATA Speaker Mr. Gerry O’ Connell
Ops Working Group Leader Mr. Peter Oberhofer
Meeting Room  
Meeting Room
FAB CE SG Chairman Mr. Ivan Hubert

2009

10 Dec 2009    

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the 7 States in FAB CE on 18th November 2009

The FABCE Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Transport of the Republic of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia has been signed at Bratislava on 18th November 2009.   
The purpose of this Memorandum is to establish a general framework of cooperation among the States, including their National Supervisory Authorities and respective military authorities, aimed at the establishment of FAB CE and to create the interfaces enabling the coordination between the States and ANSPs.
The States will endeavour to establish the FAB CE and to jointly proceed towards the conclusion of a FAB CE Agreement by the end of April 2010. To this end, the States will establish a FAB CE Preparatory Structure.
          

13 Oct 2009    

2nd FAB CE Stakeholders Workshop

The 2nd FAB CE Stakeholders Workshop will be held in Prague/Jenec, at Czech ANS premises, on 25th November 2009.
     
Agenda and registration form   

25 Aug 2009

1st FAB CE Newsletter

FAB Central Europe Project has issued its first newsletter    

1st FAB CE Newsletter   

22 Apr 2009    

Implementation Schedule for the Initial Scenario (ISIS)

On 22/04/2009 the FAB CE Provisional Coordination Council (PFCC ) agreed the Implementation Schedule for the Initial Scenario (ISIS) , approved on 25/03/2009 by the FAB CE CEO Committee.
ISIS is the first key deliverable of the FAB CE Preparatory Phase, developed under the FAB CE ANSPs’ Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC).

01 Apr 2009

Jane’s ATC Award 2009

The FAB Central Europe (FAB CE) Project has been awarded Jane’s ATC Award 2009 as best contribution to European ATM.

 

FinalATC Awards Brochure

12 Mar 2009

FAB CE Social Dialogue Workshop

The 1st FAB_CE Social Dialogue Workshop was successfully held in Zagreb on 25 February 2009. See outcome in Events.
The FAB CE Social Dialogue Workshop was held in Zagreb on 25 February 2009, attended by all concerned National Staff representatives/Unions, from the 7 ANSPs.

Working papers
Agenda
Information paper to social partners
Minutes from the FAB_CE 1st Social Dialogue Workshop

2008

14 Nov 2008

Provisional FAB CE Coordination Council

The Provisional FAB CE Coordination Council (PFCC) has been created on 14 November 2008. The PFCC is responsible for determining a common position for the Parties in respect of all matters relating to the processes connected with the preparation and implementation of Functional Airspace Block Central Europe (FAB CE).
   

11 Nov 2008

FAB CE Prep Phase PMP

The FAB CE Preparatory Phase Project Management Plan (PMP) was approved on 11 November 2008.

06 Aug 2008

FAB Central Europe Leaflet

Approved by SG a Leaflet on FAB CE activities, visible under Documents.

Documents

12 Jun 2008

Ministerial Conference

On 12 June 2008 at a Ministerial Conference in Luxembourg, the Ministers of the seven States signed a Declaration of intent to establish FAB CE while starting the process of termination of the CEATS Agreement. As a next step, the States agreed to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting the frame in which a formal FAB Agreement would be negotiated.
   

05 Jun 2008    

FABCE ANSPs have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)

The CEOs of FAB Central Europe (CE) attended the Constitutional Meeting of the CEOs’ Committee, in Budapest on 30 May 2008. The 7 ANSPs signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), to further progress with the FAB CE preparation, developing a FAB CE Implementation Plan. A Project Charter is being prepared.

24 Apr 2008    

CCG/20 approved the FAB CE Feasibility Study

The CEATS Coordination Group (CCG) held its 20th Meeting at EUROCONTROL Headquarters in Brussels on 28 March 2008. Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Slovenia approved the FAB Central Europe (FAB CE) Feasibility Study and decided to take further steps towards the detailed definition and implementation of a FAB.

As a first step, the States have agreed to establish a Memorandum of Understanding setting the frame in which a formal FAB Agreement would be negotiated. A declaration of the Ministers of Transport is expected in June.

In addition, the ANSPs of the seven States have undertaken to negotiate and conclude with minimum delay a Memorandum of Cooperation under which the FAB CE Implementation Plan would be developed . This cooperation would also support the early implementation of some of the FAB elements by ANSPs, prior to the formal coming into force of the FAB Agreement, so as to deliver early benefits to the airspace users.

25 Mar 2008    

Approval of the FAB Central Europe Feasibility Study

The FAB Central Europe (FAB CE) Feasibility Study (FS) has been concluded on 29 February 2008 and approved by its Steering Group ( FAB CE SG). The FS is now presented to the CEATS Coordination Group (CCG)/20, meeting on Friday March, 28 2008, for acceptance by the CEATS states and further decisions.

DAM/STAM Study co-financed by the European Union Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
From April 2017 airlines and other airspace users have benefitted from safer and more on-time performance as a result of the introduction of short term air traffic flow capacity management measures (STAM) throughout FAB CE airspace. In continuation of the activity FAB CE Partners launched a dynamic airspace management (DAM)/STAM) project with the overall objective to improve the FAB level application of FUA and - where possible - progressing FAB CE towards the ‘full compliance’ with the SES Deployment Plan activities. A significant part of the project was the DAM/STAM Study that has been prepared in support of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funds describing an operational concept, which aims for the exploitation of limited airspace resources through more efficient and flexible utilisation thereof. As a result of the study and the activities applied thereafter, FAB CE FMP (Flow Management Position) operators can now flexibly introduce traffic-overload prevention measures in response to the actual demand on the system by targeting individual flights with a STAM – through the use of level-capping for aircraft already airborne or introducing “take-off not before” (TONB) actions at airports. Trajectories and procedures are accommodating short-term changes and larger selection of airspace configurations/scenarios allow more robust planning. The implementation of DAM and STAM study findings contribute positively to all Key Performance Areas (KPAs): Larger selection of airspace configurations/scenarios available to allow for more robust planning in operations. Increased airspace capacity through optimised utilisation of airspace configurations and scenarios as STAM gives more opportunities to balance traffic demand and available capacity. It has direct positive impact on the environmental emission thanks to shorter and more direct routes whenever possible. STAM can as well help to avoid overloads and increase situational awareness of FMPs, supervisors and ATCOs.

Operational improvements
The FAB CE’s Airspace Task Force is a working group of all FAB CE air navigation service providers (ANSPs), Network Manager and representatives of ANSPs adjacent to the FAB CE region assessing potential changes to FAB CE (static) sector alignment and Free Route areas. The group was established to ensure the alignment of the European Network developments (in the context of the EAAS) with the FAB CE airspace strategy. The group recently agreed further expansion of Free Route Airspace (FRA) procedures across the important central/south-east European region and re-sectorising of several cross-border airspace areas between individual States (https://www.fab-ce.eu/news-media/news/254-fab-ce-ansps-work-to-expand-cross-border-free-route-airspace). One of the largest and most complex procedural change has shortened flight times for airspace users in the region through the alignment of SECSI FRA, FRALB and M-FRA airspace areas, involving eight States. The task force has been able to exploit the current traffic conditions to make substantial improvements to airspace design, so that when traffic returns to pre-COVID levels we will have added new levels of capacity to this important area of European airspace. The final goal of this task force is to support the establishment of one large FRA area which includes Baltic FAB CE, Danube FAB and neighbouring states such as Serbia, Montenegro and Albania.

The FAB CE OPS SubC activity also assists to find procedures and technical enablers for managing short- and medium-term (less than ~2 hours) contingency events. In the first phase of the contingency activity, a commonly agreed concept was agreed. In the next phase management of long-term contingency events (beyond ~2 hours duration) will be addressed. This phase will define a common coordination platform for coordinating and monitoring the implementation activities of Phase I.

FAB CE is also active in Operational Excellence activities. A dedicated project group collects best practices and potential quick wins (through changes in operational procedures, rostering, smaller adaptations to systems, etc.) and establishes a repository of potential improvements to be implemented at the FAB CE ANSP’s own discretion. Data is collected from Air Traffic Control, Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management, Human Resources, Environment, Strategic Planning and System Support domains contributing to multiple Key Performance Areas (KPA) with the goal of improving performance of the FAB CE ANSP’s in these areas while minimising ANSP resource utilisation. Identified candidates for NM OPS Excellence Programme champions are selected and the outcome of the project is planned to be aligned with NM OPS Excellence programme results.

Through a separate project FAB CE is also dealing with the capacity and flow improvements focusing on tasks aimed at identifying specific issues with the aim of improving FAB CE network performance and targets proposing solutions thereto.

The FAB CE state level joined civil-military group has launched a project with the aim to harmonise TRA/TSA utilisation and assess principles in light of the requirements of the European Commission, EUROCONTROL ERNIP guidelines and other relevant documentation. The tasks is to address the potential differences of the national implementations with international requirements – if any, considering future TSA/TRA needs in light of EAAS 2025 /2030 vision and known FAB CE military requirements, as well as the use of supporting tools and processes and make recommendations to the FABCE States and ANSPs concerning potential harmonisation of TSA/TRA utilisation

Technical projects
FAB CE is not only working together on the operational harmonisation of processes but also aims at cooperating on the harmonisation of the technical assets and processes. FAB CE technical harmonisation project examples are the coordinated ADS-B deployment, the Smart procurement of spare parts, the SSR Frequency monitoring project, the Datalink Performance Monitoring and the common CNS infrastructure planning activities. In these completed or still ongoing projects the FAB CE ANSPs are participating based on their internal decisions and needs on a case-by-case basis. As FAB CE consists of 7 member states and ANSPs, the technical tools and processes are diverging. Depending on the level of participation in the technical projects decided by the individual ANSPs, there are “All-in” or “Some-in” cooperation projects.  The longstanding FAB CE cooperation has been proven by several commonly reached success stories by date and still continues.

2013

16 July, 2013

FAB CE CEO Meeting held in Zagreb

The 12th FAB CE CEO Meeting was held in Zagreb on July 12, for the first time under the chairmanship of Dragan Bilać, Director General of Croatia Control. Items on the agenda included joint reports from the FAB CE SC Chairman and the Program manager on among other topics the on-going FAB CE strategy development, the FAB CE Communication Plan, FAB CE legal entity and the FAB CE Seamless Operations project.

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 6^th, 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.