Social dialogue partners give their input into FAB CE strategic programmes

The Social Dialogue Forum took place 12 November in Vienna, main topic on the agenda: the new FAB CE Strategy.

The publication of the Airspace Architecture Study (https://www.fab-ce.eu/news-media/news/224-fab-ce-to-announce-new-strategy-in-2020-aligned-with-wise-person-group-report-and-airspace-architecture-study) will lead to major changes in the way ATM services are provided in the future. The latest FAB CE social dialogue Forum gave social partners an opportunity to provide their input into the proactive approach being taken by FAB CE not merely to react to the changes but actively help shape them, especially through regional cooperation.

Dr Valerie Hackl, Chairperson of the FAB CE CEO Committee (CEOC) reported on the conclusions of the latest CEOC meeting and the work underway to develop the new FAB CE strategy. “Our aim in FAB CE is to be proactive, not merely to react to the changes but actively help shape them, especially through regional cooperation.”

Matej Eljon, FAB CE Programme Manager and director of FAB CE Aviation Ltd, presented FAB CE’s transition plan to align FAB CE air navigation service provider (ANSP) ATM services with the goals of the high-level study. He updated delegates on progress on the many common technical activities underway within FAB CE, including the common procurement programme, data-link upgrade plans, the results of the flight level adherence project and the initiation of an operational excellence programme underway to identify, in particular, best practices among FAB CE ANSPs to increase capacity.

“FAB CE is moving away from its original political structure to a more operational, airspace-alliance profile,” he told delegates.

Zoran Jakšić from Croatia Control outlined the conclusions from the workshop on “ATCO fatigue and stress prevention and management” held in May 2019, and the new mitigation programmes - such as defining minimum rest periods and roster profiles preventing and alleviating the negative effects of stress on controllers - which FAB CE ANSPs are individually developing to deal with these challenges by the start of 2020.

Andrea Sack-Nirschl, of the FAB CE Safety sub-committee gave an update on safety management activities underway, including moves to initiate more cross-border safety investigations and cross-border safety surveys. She presented the results of a company mobile device (CMD) usage survey which looked at how individual ANSPs have developed policies on the use of CMDs in operational areas.