23RD DANUBE FAB GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING

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23RD DANUBE FAB GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING

ActivitiesDANUBE FAB ENMedia centerNews

The 23rd meeting of the DANUBE FAB Governing Council was held online on November 7, 2024, with high-level representatives from Romania and the Republic Bulgaria gathering virtually to reinforce their commitment to the goals of the Single European Sky (SES) and SESAR initiatives. In a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, the Council focused on strategic measures to advance airspace efficiency, safety, and sustainability in alignment with SES objectives.

Key discussions centered on the implementation of the DANUBE FAB Strategic Programme for 2025-2029, which outlines a clear roadmap for achieving SES targets across capacity, safety, and environmental performance. This plan, designed to meet the evolving needs of airspace users, will be further developed in consultation with stakeholders to ensure comprehensive alignment with SESAR advancements.

The Governing Council also reviewed high-priority SESAR projects involving ROMATSA and BULATSA, focusing on integrating advanced trajectory-based operations and automation. These SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking projects play a critical role in enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the European Green Deal’s environmental goals.

Updates on upcoming Free Route Airspace (FRA) expansions through 2029-2030 underscored the importance of interoperability for seamless airspace use across EU and non-EU regions. Additionally, recent InterFAB coordination highlighted DANUBE FAB’s role in fostering unified responses to air traffic management challenges across Europe.

This online session reaffirmed DANUBE FAB’s alignment with SES and SESAR strategies, reflecting a shared vision for a resilient, sustainable, and integrated European airspace. As SES2+ transitions FABs to a voluntary model, DANUBE FAB remains steadfast in its commitment to cross-border collaboration and operational excellence.

For further information, please visit www.danubefab.eu or contact us at contact@danubefab.eu.

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21ST DANUBE FAB SOCIAL CONSULTATION FORUM

ActivitiesDANUBE FAB ENMedia centerNews

The 21st meeting of the DANUBE FAB Social Consultation Forum (SCF) convened online on 31 October 2024, uniting representatives from BULATSA, ROMATSA, and their respective social partners. This meeting marked a significant opportunity to address the impact of the recently published SES2+ legislative package, which, among other changes, classifies Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) as voluntary entities. Despite this shift, DANUBE FAB stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to maintain and strengthen FAB cooperation to ensure continued operational efficiency and resilience.

Over the past year, the DANUBE FAB community has navigated a range of challenges, including fluctuating air traffic and evolving geopolitical conditions that impact airspace management strategies. At this SCF session, participants reviewed the latest outputs from recent DANUBE FAB ANSP Board and Governing Council meetings, touching on strategic planning, budgetary considerations, and high-priority projects like Free Route Airspace (FRA) and cross-border operations.

The session also fostered dialogue on shared social priorities, reflecting the SCF’s commitment to a balanced approach that considers social, economic, and operational factors. By bringing together social partners, this forum enables a collaborative and informed environment where best practices are shared, and actionable solutions are developed for mutual benefit.

DANUBE FAB’s dedication to an adaptive and cooperative framework remains unwavering as FABs transition to a voluntary status under SES2+. The continued engagement within the SCF exemplifies DANUBE FAB’s proactive approach to addressing challenges and fostering a resilient airspace in Eastern Europe.

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23RD DANUBE FAB ANSP BOARD MEETING

ActivitiesDANUBE FAB ENMedia centerNews

The 23rd DANUBE FAB ANSP Board meeting, held on October 30, 2024, brought together representatives from BULATSA and ROMATSA to discuss strategic initiatives for managing the DANUBE FAB Functional Airspace Block. In light of the upcoming SES2+ framework regulation, which is expected to redefine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) as voluntary, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the increasing demands of air traffic, ambitious environmental targets, and the challenges posed by a changing geopolitical landscape.

During the meeting, the Board reviewed the objectives of the DANUBE FAB Strategic Programme, which focuses on future airspace needs, including enhancing capacity, improving safety, and increasing operational efficiency. Updates on high-priority Free Route Airspace projects highlighted ongoing efforts to expand cross-border operations and ensure regulatory compliance. The Board also expressed strong support for the InterFAB platform, recognizing its importance as a forum for aligning regional strategies within the European air traffic management framework.

Furthermore, ROMATSA and BULATSA presented recent advancements in their collaboration within the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. These projects aim to refine trajectory-based operations by leveraging advanced automation and air-ground synchronization to enhance sustainability and efficiency across the region, aligning with the EU’s Green Deal objectives.

As FABs transition to a voluntary role under SES2+, the DANUBE FAB remains dedicated to creating a resilient, safe, and environmentally responsible framework for Eastern European airspace. This meeting reaffirmed a shared vision for effectively managing regional airspace in a flexible and forward-thinking manner.

For additional information, please visit www.danubefab.eu or contact us at contact@danubefab.eu.

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Participation in CANSO 26th Annual General Meeting, CANSO Executive Summit 2022 and the World ATM Congress 2022

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The Director General of BULATSA, Mr. Georgi Peev, participated in CANSO 26th Annual General Meeting and CANSO Executive Summit 2022, which took place on 20 June 2022, before the opening of the World ATM Congress (WATMC) – the largest international air traffic management event, organized by CANSO in partnership with the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) between 21 and 23 June 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

The discussions were focused on 3 main topics:

• “A laser-like focus on the needs of all airspace users” – a high-level discussion on the role and values ​​that air navigation service providers must uphold in order to ensure a sustainable future for all air transport, taking into account all new types of aircraft – drones, spacecraft, etc.;

• “Sustainability, and CANSO’s plans to fast track sustainability efforts in ATM”, with a focus on environmental protection, measurable indicators in this regard and imposing the right models of the public opinion;

• “The launch of the Complete Air Traffic System Global Council’s roadmap to deliver its vision for the sky of 2045”, which developed the detailed expectations for achieving the vision over the next 20 years.

The Director General of BULATSA also visited the World ATM Congress 2022, where the latest technological achievements and developments in the field of ANS and the trends in the aviation industry were presented, with the participation of leading product developers, experts, stakeholders and ANS providers from over 100 countries and 160 exhibitors.

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Press Release: Eighteenth Meeting of the DANUBE FAB Governing Bodies

ActivitiesDANUBE FAB ENMedia centerNews

Eighteenth Meeting of the DANUBE FAB ANSP Board

On Wednesday 13th April 2022, the management teams of BULATSA and ROMATSA held their eighteenth meeting of the DANUBE FAB ANSP Board, maintaining the important role in shaping the strategic direction and priorities for the FAB. 

The meeting focussed on the three high priority projects outlined in the 2022 versions of the DANUBE FAB Strategic Programme and Annual Plan. These include Free Route Airspace, InterFAB Coordination, and FAB Enlargement. In addition to this, the ANSP Board was briefed on recent Single European Sky developments as well as on the completion of the Strategic Impact Study, with the recommendations of the currently being implemented across the FAB.

During this meeting, attendees were updated on projects which have recently been completed and significantly progressed within the FAB. Most notable was the expansion of SEE FRA to include the Republic of Moldova, while cross-border FRA operations also commenced with BALTIC FRA, meaning the airspace from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea is now open for free route operations.

Members were informed of DANUBE FAB’s intended participation in the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking programme, with both BULATSA and ROMATSA investigating areas of common interest in order to bid for funding in the rounds which opened on 7th April 2022. Finally, the members were updated on the InterFAB Research Workshop due to take place in Sofia on 15th-16th September 2022, with a number of activities ongoing to ensure the event is a great success for all parties involved.

Eighteenth Meeting of the DANUBE FAB Governing Council

Having regard to the requirements of the DANUBE FAB State Agreement which foresee that the meetings of the Governing Council shall be organised twice a year, the Council members held their eighteenth reunion on 14 of April 2022, one day after the ANSP Board, thus ensuring the bridge between the relevant strategic and planning bodies of the FAB and the Governing Council.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Civil and Military Aviation Authorities, National Supervisory Authorities and ANSPs from both countries. Delegates were also welcomed as observers from the Republic of Moldova.

The Council was briefed on the status of the DANUBE FAB strategic planning and reporting for 2022, status of key FAB activities and procurements, the NSA Board Activity Report and the progress made on the FAB’s high priority projects.

The Strategic Programme 2022 – 2026, Annual Plan 2022 and Annual Report 2021, which had been updated based on interviews with DANUBE FAB experts and project managers, were approved by the meeting participants. These documents focus on areas for development within the FAB to ensure of the continued and quick recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and to ensure the High Priority projects, and other key tasks and activities, are progressed significantly in 2022.

Members were informed of the main ongoing regulatory initiatives taking place at European level, such as SES 2+ (recast) and the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking programme, with participants then discussing their potential impact on the FAB and how the FAB can take maximum benefit from these initiatives.

The next round of DANUBE FAB Governing Bodies meetings are planned for Autumn 2022.

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Republic of Moldova joins SEE FRA

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Starting from 24th of February 2022 the Aircraft Operators are able to plan their flights freely across the airspace of Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Republic of Moldova 24/7 without the limitations of the geographical boundaries. The inclusion of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova represents the second expansion of the SEE FRA project (South East Europe Free Route Airspace, successfully implemented on the 7th of November 2019), thus making possible cross border free route operations across the airspace of the 5 states. Therefore, SEE FRA becomes one of the largest free route airspace blocks in Europe.

In addition to the SEEFRA expansion cross border operations between SEEFRA and BALTIC FRA are also implemented which makes airspace spanning from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea open for free route operations.

The new flight planning rules significantly optimize the flight trajectories not only by using the shortest connections but also allowing the use of the most effective routings when the impacts on the flights are inevitable e.g adverse weather avoidance.

According to the simulations, SEE FRA contributes to a significant reduction of emissions and of millions of miles (NM) daily, from the total mileage.


It should be acknowledged that the Network Manager has a central role as an enabler and driver of the airspace improvements at European level. Thanks to the active involvement and full support of EUROCONTROL Member States and EUROCONTROL Agency, the Aircraft Operators will be able to fly on optimised profiles, using less fuel, hence reducing aviation´s environmental footprint.

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BULATSA REPORTED OVER 50% GROWTH OF THE SERVICED FLIGHTS IN SEPTEMBER

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BULATSA reports a 51.19% increase in the number of serviced flights in September this year compared to September 2020, as their total number last month was 61,573. An increase of over 54 percent was reported in the number of serviced international flights – departures and arrivals. In September this year, the Bulgarian air traffic controllers serviced a total of 6,920 international flights, whereas for comparison their number for the same period last year was 4,482.

There is also an increase in the number of serviced transit aircraft, which in September this year was 53,237, and in September 2020 – 34,657, which is an increase of 53.6 percent.

A decrease – by 10.72%, was reported only for the serviced domestic flights (departures and arrivals) for September 2021, or 1416 compared to 1586 for the same period in 2020.

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Fourteenth meetings of the DANUBE FAB governing bodies

DANUBE FAB ENNews
Photo: BULATSA

On the 6th November the management of BULATSA and ROMATSA met in Sofia for the fourteenth meeting of the DANUBE FAB ANSP Board. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Georgi Peev, Director General BULATSA, and Mr Bogdan Costaș, Director General ROMATSA.
With a very dense agenda, ranging from technical matters to more high-level political aspects the ANSP Board members were briefed on of the progress of the latest round of DANUBE FAB strategic planning and reporting, status of the FAB procurements, Inter-FAB coordination activities and the progress of the FAB High Priority projects. On this occasion, the members of the Board were informed on the immediate and timely implementation of another landmark of SEE FRA (South-East Free Route Airspace) project which will become operational 7th November 2019. Following this implementation, the Aircraft Operators will be able to plan their flights freely across the airspace of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania 24/7 without the limitations of the geographical boundaries. This is the completion of the SEE FRA project (South East Europe Free Route Airspace) for implementing 24/7 cross border free route operations across the airspace of the three states.
Participants were further informed on preparations for the 2020 World ATM Congress, the outcomes of the InterFAB events attended by DANUBE FAB including the: Fragmentation workshop, 5th InterFAB communications workshop, 6th InterFAB Point of Contact Meeting and the 4th InterFAB performance workshop.
The DANUBE FAB Governing Council members held their fourteenth meeting in Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria on the 7th November. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Armand Petrescu , Director General of the Romanian NSA and Mr. Georgi Peev, Director General BULATSA, and attended by representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Civil and Military Aviation Authorities, National Supervisory Authorities and ANSPs from both countries. Delegates were also welcomed from the Republic of North Macedonia and from the Republic of Moldova.
The members of the Governing Council were briefed on of the progress of the latest round of DANUBE FAB strategic planning and reporting, status of the FAB procurements, Inter-FAB coordination activities and the progress of the FAB High Priority projects.
Believing in the need for discussions about the future of the Single European Sky, the members of the Council discussed on the proposed Study regarding the evolution of the European airspace architecture as well on the recommendations of the Wise Persons Group in their “Report on the Future of the Single European Sky’. As a result, the DANUBE FAB members decided to issue a position paper on the Wise Persons Group Report recommendations and to propose that FABs can effectively contribute to the application of a total system approach to European aviation, supported by well-defined objectives, realistic expectations and pragmatic timelines ensuring commitment and involvement of all players.

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THIRTEENTH MEETING OF THE DANUBE FAB GOVERNING BODIES

DANUBE FAB ENNews
Photo: BULATSA

Thirteenth Meeting of the DANUBE FAB ANSP Board
The management of BULATSA and ROMATSA met in Bucharest on the 27th May for the thirteenth meeting of the DANUBE FAB ANSP Board. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Georgi PEEV, Director General BULATSA, and Mr. Mircea Bostina, Director General ROMATSA.
The ANSP Board members were informed of the progress of DANUBE FAB strategic planning and reporting, status of the FAB procurements, Inter-FAB coordination activities and the progress of the FAB High Priority projects, focusing on the immediate actions to be taken in order to ensure that DANUBE FAB can effectively deliver safe daily operations, improve capacity and contribute to the overall performance of the Network. The participants were further briefed on the DANUBE FAB coordination meeting with the European Commission, the DANUBE FAB participation at the World ATM Congress 2019 and the progress made by the Common Training Board.
The ANSP Board members were also briefed on the development of the Common Training Academy concept. The ANSP Board members were informed of the decision made by the DANUBE FAB Training Board to run a pilot-project, initially focussing on ATSEP training.

The ANSP Board Members discussed the necessary proceedings to maintain the operation of the two cross-border sectors, implemented in 2014, through the third reference period.
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Thirteenth Meeting of the DANUBE FAB Governing Council
The DANUBE FAB Governing Council members held their thirteenth meeting on 28th May in Bucharest, Romania. The meeting was co-chaired Mr. Sorin-Aurel ENCUTESCU, Deputy Director General Romanian NSA and Mr. Georgi PEEV, Director General BULATSA, and attended by representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Civil and Military Aviation Authorities, National Supervisory Authorities and ANSPs from both countries. Delegates were welcomed from the Republic of North Macedonia, who have held observer status since October 2015.
One of the highest-priority projects for DANUBE FAB is the FAB enlargement and as such, the first decision of the session was to formally approve the Republic of Moldova as Observer to DANUBE FAB.
The members of the Governing Council took note of the progress of DANUBE FAB strategic planning and reporting, status of the FAB procurements, Inter-FAB coordination activities and the progress of the FAB High Priority projects. The members of the Council discussed and took note of recommendations made in the DANUBE FAB Annual Report 2018, principally that DANUBE FAB Strategic Programme should be subject to a comprehensive review, taking into account the latest EU level developments, namely ‘A proposal for the future architecture of the European Airspace’ and the ‘Report of the Wise Persons Group on the future of the single European Sky’.
The DANUBE FAB Governing Council members were further briefed on the DANUBE FAB coordination meeting with the European Commission, the DANUBE FAB participation at the World ATM Congress 2019, the progress made by the Common Training Board and the reports of the ANSP Board and NSA Board.
The next round of DANUBE FAB Governing Bodies meetings are planned for Autumn 2019 in Bulgaria.

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DANUBE FAB IN A CONGRESS WALKING TOUR OF SESAR AT THE WORLD ATM CONGRESS IN MADRID

DANUBE FAB ENNews
Photo: BULATSA

SESAR Deployment Manager (SDM) and SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) organized a congress walking tour at the World ATM Congress in Madrid. It gave visitors an opportunity to meet with experts from the SESAR community and to get acquainted with the activities that are being prepared and deployed in whole Europe.
The walking tours took place within the context of a sequence of activities, organized by European aviation partners on the theme “Europe for Aviation”. DANUBE FAB for a second consecutive year presented many of its key projects contributing to the transformation of Air Traffic Management (ATM).
BULATSA and ROMATSA experts showcased SESAR related projects, representing technological solutions in various areas of ATM deployment, such as optimizing the performance of air traffic System-Wide Information Management and Security.
The DANUBE FAB sequence of presentations in the SESAR Walking Tours started with an overview on the latest solutions related to the implementation of the Traffic Complexity Assessment Tool (tCAT) project in Sofia ACC. It was presented by Ivan Hassamski, who also informed about a tCAT Visitors’ Day planned to take place on 26 March 2019 at BULATSA premises in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The DANUBE FAB stand hosted three SESAR Walking Tours on the topics of System-Wide Information Management and Security.
Mihai Spiridonescu (ROMATSA) made a presentation focused on the stakeholder’s contribution to the procurement and deployment of NewPENS.
Florin Stoian (ROMATSA), supported by Patrick Mana (EUROCONTROL), showcased SWIM Common PKI and the policies and procedures for establishing a secure framework, which allows ANSPs, airspace users, military, airports, etc., to identify themselves and encrypt/decrypt information via digital certificates.
Daniela Vasileva (BULATSA) presented the successful implementation of a local Security Operation Center (SOC) at BULATSA within the framework of SESAR. The local SOC in BULATSA provides a platform for monitoring, analysis and control of system logs, network traffic, system files and management of incidents related to information security. The platform is a comprehensive solution providing reliable protection of BULATSA’s IT infrastructure against conventional and unconventional cyber-threats.

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