In May Matej Eljon was appointed as new Director of FAB CE Aviation Ltd. In the interview b
elow he talks about FAB CE and his first priorities in the new position.
There are significant changes going on in Europe because of the integration of the European Airspace. What do you think is the biggest challenge for ANSPs these days?
The biggest challenge for ANSPs is to develop into a high-tech provider, capable of providing more capacity and increased safety in a cost-effective manner. This should be achieved by the implementation of SESAR technologies and cross-border cooperation and consolidation.
Which projects do you consider the biggest success since the establishment of FAB CE?
The biggest success so far is the establishment of the common legal entity, a clear sign of commitment of all stakeholders to achieve results.
What do you think will be the biggest task of the upcoming years for FAB CE’s ANSPs?
The biggest task will be to successfully implement the FAB CE strategy and to deliver it in the most effective way, taking into account all possible synergies available from cross border cooperation. From the project perspective the Free Route Airspace project is currently the most challenging task.
What are your plans, what will you focus on the most as the director- program manager of FAB CE Aviation Services Ltd. in the near future?
My first priorities are to to establish an effective Programme Support Office organisation, to adapt the project structure to better suit the FAB CE Strategy and areas of common interest.
How do you see the future of European air traffic control?
The future is in tight cross-border cooperation, consolidation of ATM systems and procedures as well as in modernisation of systems and infrastructure. Only with such changes the required capacity, cost effectiveness, safety and environmental targets can be met.
We also talked to Ivan Hubert, former FAB CE Programme-Manager and Director of FAB CE Aviation Ltd. about his assessment of t
he current situation.
There are significant changes going on in Europe because of the integration of the European airspace. What do you think is the biggest challenge for ANSPs these days?
Today no ANSP is considered as a stand-alone organization. We all are involved in different bi or multilateral activities. There are also new programmes run under and financed by the EC and there is still a substantial amount of EC regulation to which ANSPs have to accommodate. ANSPs are the key contributors to all those activities that are extremely challenging as well as resource demanding. Therefore ANSPs should seek synergies through cooperation. For certain activities FAB seems to be an appropriate approach. If proper priorities are identified and full commitment is ensured by all participating ANSPs, I see, regardless of all the limitations that such complex approach is bringing, a potential for the successful implementation of challenging and beneficial projects such as the Free Route Airspace, which in my view should be the top priority for ANSPs in the coming years.
What do you think will be the biggest task of the upcoming years for FAB CE’s ANSPs?
In general FAB has now established the basic framework and necessary tools to continue its implementation as well as its further development in order to prepare for the next reference period. We have developed the set of planning documents at State level (Strategy), we produced general planning documents for the SuB Committees (FAB CE Roadmap and Activity plans) subject to further refinement and update and we have available the draft of the updated Implementation Plan covering agreed operational scenarios. The ANSPs established the legal entity FAB CE Aviation Services Ltd. through which the necessary program support will be ensured and which will also be used for common procurement of any required services or goods. So the FAB CE ANSPs with the use of the above framework and tools should concentrate on the implementation of the activities defined by the Implementation Plan.