FAB CE News

FAB CE air navigation service providers (ANSPs) have pooled their resources and expertise to conduct a single safety audit of datalink services which covers the entire functional airspace block.

According to (EU) No 1035/2011 Annex II, 3.1.2 (e) providers of air traffic services have to carry out a safety management system audit of controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) providers to ensure “adequate justification of the safety of the externally provided services and supplies, having regard to their safety significance within the provision of its external services and supplies”.

FAB CE ANSPs decided to centralize this function by developing a common FAB CE level safety survey to provide an overview and evidence for specific safety aspects in the provision of datalink services to FAB CE ANSPs.

“The survey has been a major success in regard to the fulfillment of the scope and received feedback from all the involved stakeholders,” said Andreas Dvorak, chairman of the FAB CE Safety Sub Committee. “It was the first time air/ground communication service providers have been involved in such a safety survey and the aim and outcome of the survey was really appreciated by them. The result is now available for all FAB CE ANSPs and is a very effective and efficient control measure.”

The survey was carried out by four safety surveyors from three different FAB CE ANSPs and was performed in compliance with FAB CE rules and procedures for performing safety surveys on a FAB CE level, which are harmonized and defined within the FAB CE Safety Management System.

Planning activities took place in Vienna, Budapest and Prague, hosted by each ANSP, and onsite-visits have been carried out at the European headquarters of the global air/ground communication service provider.

From April 27 this year airlines and other airspace users will benefit 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.

“We expect improvements in safety and capacity,” said Ralph Michalke, ATM/Performance Manager FMP-AMC Austria at Austro Control and one of the members of the project. “Safety – in terms of fewer overloads for controllers and capacity in terms of helping us reduce the delay and the number of regulations during short-term traffic peaks.”

FAB CE FMP (Flow Management Position) operators can 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. In this way, locally preferred solutions to local traffic overload challenges can be applied rather than having to resort to large-scale regulations which impact many flights.

FABCE FMPs also aim to improve the FMP coordination within the FAB to optimize STAM. The necessary coordination procedures are part of the letters of agreement of the FABCE ACCs as from 27 April 2017.

Considerable work has been taken to introduce STAMs across the FAB CE network. A live trial took place in September 2015 which was preceded by a generic safety assessment for the entire FAB. After successful completion of the live trial a decision to implement the measures across the FAB was taken. Each air navigation service provider (ANSP) additionally prepared a safety assessment for introducing STAMs at the local level for both the live trial and the implementation. Guidance and briefing materials have been prepared for flow management positions, supervisors and controllers.

Airspace users are informed of the changes via AIM (ATFCM information messages) provided via the Eurocontrol NOP portal. At a local level ANSPs can inform the airspace users via AIC or NOTAM.

This is the first phase of the STAM roll-out, based on existing tools. The Operations Subcommittee in September 2016 agreed to develop a roadmap for a future FAB CE wide implementation of STAMs as part of work to improving Airspace Management (ASM) processes and Dynamic Airspace Management (DAM) (See FAB CE Newsletter: Autumn 2016). STAM phase two will require the availability of new tools which will allow for better monitoring and complexity handling. These tools are currently under developing within the SESAR JU research portfolio; the strategic deployment of STAMs throughout the Single European Sky is part of the Single European Sky (SES) Deployment Programme.

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The First FAB CE Social Dialogue 2017 will take place on the  18^th and 19^th of May 2017 in LPS premises, Bratislava.

South East Common Sky Initiative (SECSI) - Memorandum of Cooperation signed 

Representatives from five ANSPs signed a memorandum of cooperation during the World ATM Congress in Madrid aimed towards merging the two Free Route Airspaces SAXFRA (Slovenian Austrian Cross-Border Free Route Airspace) and SEAFRA (South-East Axis Free Route Airspace).

SAXFRA (Austro Control and Slovenia Control) and SEAFRA (BHANSA, Croatia Control and SMATSA) are two crucial cross-border initiatives contributing significantly to the efficient flow of air traffic along the vital South-East Axis. Each project has shown itself to be working out very well, but in line with the goals of Single European Sky a merging of those two airspaces will generate even greater benefits.

The South East Common Sky Initiative will strengthen the South East Axis by offering the shortest route options between Central and South Europe, including the flows to Turkey and further to the Middle East. This initiative not only works towards achieving the goals of the European Commission regarding the implementation of Free Route across Europe but also fulfils airspace users’ requests for having multiple route options available for the same city pair. The cooperation of SAXFRA and SEAFRA will produce one of the largest cross-border Free Route airspaces in Europe and is a significant step towards achieving a common European Free Route airspace (FRA) by 2022.

“In line with the goals of Single European Sky this is the next significant step towards Free Route airspace across all of Europe. The South East Common Sky Initiative will benefit both the airlines and passengers in reducing fuel consumption as well as the travel time”, said Austro Control CEO Heinz Sommerbauer in Madrid.

“If there is a common goal and willingness to cooperate, we can achieve great things. The South East Common Sky Initiative is a perfect example for that. Five ANSPs working together towards improving the flow of air traffic across Europe”, said Austro Control COO Thomas Hoffmann.

“As a logical continuation of an excellent cross-border cooperation through the SAXFRA and SEAFRA free route projects, SECSI is not only in line with the Single European Sky initiative but offers even more increased efficiency and capacity over Central and South East Europe”, said BHANSA CEO, Davorin Primorac.

“The SECSI Free Route airspace is a step forward after the two successfully completed FRA projects, SAXFRA and SEAFRA. I am sure that the five ANSPs will demonstrate excellent cooperation for the benefit of the airspace users to save thousands of tons of fuel per year; moreover, the citizens of the six states will be exposed to significantly decreased emissions of CO2 and NOx. I believe the airspace users will recognize the benefits of FRA in this region as well as the environmental achievements” said Croatia Control CEO Dragan Bilać.

“The South East Common Sky Initiative is another major step towards the needed ANSP collaboration in making a seamless European Sky a reality and reducing the future environmental footprint” said Slovenia Control CEO Franc Željko Županič.

“A positive attitude, professionalism and devotion, demonstrated in SEAFRA and SAXFRA projected by all parties involved, guarantees the success of the South East Common Sky Initiative. I am absolutely confident that this important Free Route Airspace project in the region and Europe will deliver more significant savings to our users”, said SMATSA CEO Radojica Rovčanin.

The significance of the South East Common Sky Initiative was also stressed by Joe Sultana, Director Network Manager Eurocontrol:

“Following the successful implementation of the SAXFRA and SEAFRA initiatives, the South East Europe Common Sky Initiative is an excellent example of how cross-border Free Route Airspace implementation progresses in Europe in complex airspace. The detailed and innovative work conducted by the five ANSPs in close coordination with the Network Manager makes this initiative a tangible example of how the European ATM network can be optimised. It opens significant opportunities for further airspace optimisation in Central and South East Europe with similar neighboring initiatives”.

On March 2nd the FAB CE CEO Committee was held in Bratislava.

Among the topics discussed were a report by the Program Manager including an update on the status of FCE activities as well as on the Gate One FRA. Additional topics included the FCE Annual Plan 2017 and CEF FRA –Validation activities. Also on the agenda PR and Government Affairs Strategy.