BULATSA and Airbus DS Conducted a Demonstration of TESLA System under SESAR 2020 Programme

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BULATSA and Airbus DS Conducted a Demonstration of TESLA System under SESAR 2020 Programme

Media centerNews

An Open Day to demonstrate the capabilities of the conflict detection and resolution system TESLA (Tactical Encounter SoLver Assistant) was held at BULATSA. The event is part of the finalization of project PJ.18 Improved Ground Trajectory Predictions Enabling Future Automation Tools, under SESAR 2020 programme, Wave 2. The development of TESLA started in 2016 with close partnership and cooperation between Airbus Defense&Space and BULATSA.

TESLA aims to improve air traffic services through a high-level automation and compliance monitoring in a pre-tactical and tactical time horizon. The system assists air traffic controllers in managing separation and providing optimal conflict-free routes and climb and descent profiles for departing, arriving, and overflying aircraft.

On the Open Day, BULATSA and Airbus DS demonstrated the project developments, presented technological and operational details, and discussed the results of the conducted TESLA validation.

Representatives of the air navigation service providers of Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, guests from EUROCONTROL, SESAR JU and the industry, including Airbus DS, Airbus Aircraft and Leonardo, got acquainted with the progress of the system in an interactive format. They observed a session demonstrating the TESLA performance through simulation of a real airspace environment and real air traffic. The Bulgarian air traffic controllers performed an exercise in which they demonstrated the resolution of numerous conflict situations in the area of Sofia Approach and Sofia Control with the help of the system. Conflict management was assisted by a combination of system trajectories and data received from the aircraft (EPP information via ADS-C). Participants had the opportunity to try out for themselves the TESLA functionalities at an additional working position. 

TESLA has a beneficial effect on the air traffic controllers’ situational awareness, workload and performance, the airspace capacity, safety and the environment.

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SESAR 2020 is a European Union programme focused on the development and validation of technological solutions in the field of air traffic management. It is funded by the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

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SESAR Deployment Manager CEO Visited BULATSA

Media centerNews

BULATSA Director General, Georgi Peev, and Mariagrazia La Piscopia, CEO of SDM, held an official meeting.

The visit is part of the SDM initiative to conduct a series of familiarization visits to ANS providers in Central and East Europe and to promote their achievements in the implementation of technological solutions under SESAR.

A presentation entitled, “Presentation of the achievements of BULATSA”, focusing on the achieved results of the enterprise in the last decade, was made by Veselin Stoyanov, Director of European Programmes, Projects and Strategies Directorate, and Ivan Iliev, Head of Planning and Strategies Department.

On the meeting were presented specific data on the provision of effective and safe service, without delays due to ANS, in the conditions of geopolitical and economic dynamics, increasing traffic and crises related to Covid-19, proximity to zones of military conflicts, etc.

Operational and technological innovations such as SEE FRA, XMAN in connection with the traffic from/to Istanbul Airport, as well as already implemented SESAR projects such as Traffic Complexity Assessment Tool (tCAT) and the EATM-CERT platform, were noted.

Mariagrazia La Piscopia noted the achievements of BULATSA as an example of effective resource management and pragmatic investment in new technologies and training of qualified personnel, and highly appreciated the productivity of the enterprise, in the conditions of permanently maintained financial efficiency of service and strong traffic growth. She emphasized that these results must be communicated among the international aviation community, because the data presented by BULATSA confirm the thesis that ANS providers are part of the solutions and the future of the Single European Sky.

Consultations with the operational partners in decision making and project implementation are at the centre of SDM management processes, and its ambitions are to expand the partnerships with new participants. SDM representatives committed to contribute to the good positioning of BULATSA by promoting its achievements among the aviation community.

The meeting was concluded with visits to the operations room, Security Operations Center and BULATSA Innovation Grid, where SDM representatives got acquainted with the work of  BULATSA on relevant projects under the SESAR 2020 programme.

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CANSO Delegation Visited BULATSA

News

The Director General of BULATSA Georgi Peev met with the Chairman of the European CANSO CEO Committee Michiel van Dorst and the CANSO Director Europe Affairs – Tanja Grobotek, who visited Bulgaria at the invitation of BULATSA. The topic of discussions was the cooperation between the two organizations and the challenges facing the ATM system.

Michiel van Dorst, who is also the Chief Executive Director of the ANSP of the Netherlands – LVNL, congratulated Georgi Peev for the air traffic service efficiency, technological advancement and stability achieved by BULATSA in the recent years, despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Georgi Peev expressed the readiness of BULATSA, as an active member of CANSO Europe, to continue the constructive cooperation and dialogue on the future of air navigation services.

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BULATSA and Airbus DS Conducted a Validation on Project PJ.18 Wave 2 4D Skyways of SESAR 2020 Programme

News

In the implementation work on project PJ.18-W2-Sol53 Improved Ground Trajectory Predictions enabling future automation tools, from the SESAR 2020 programme, BULATSA and Airbus Defense&Space are working on the development of the prototype TESLA – Tactical Encounter SoLver Assistant.

TESLA aims to improve air traffic service. The system helps Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) in separation management and in providing optimal conflict-free routes and climb and descent profiles for departing, arriving, and overflying aircraft. This is achieved by introducing automated means for conflict prevention and by integrating specific information to support operational efficiency.

In the period 10-14 October 2022, air traffic controllers from BULATSA and engineers from Airbus Defense&Space conducted a validation session to evaluate and confirm the TESLA functionalities developed so far. The validation was conducted in a test platform, specially equipped with workstations for ATCOs and pseudo-pilots – “BULATSA Innovation Grid”. Extensive tests were performed measuring and recording a number of parameters: human factors elements, safety, capacity, operational efficiency, environment and cost efficiency. Within the framework of the validation, an overview of the achieved results, technological developments and benefits was made. The degree of maturity of the system, as well as its applicability, were positively assessed.

TESLA is expected to have a beneficial effect on airspace capacity, performance, ATCOs’ workload and situational awareness, and the levels of safety, environment and costs.

The last step of this stage of the project is forthcoming – presentation to European partners and stakeholders from the industry of the validated functionalities and production of a validation report. On 16 November 2022, at a Visitors’ Day hosted by BULATSA, a demonstration of the current capabilities of the TESLA prototype will be made.

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SESAR 2020 is a European Union programme focused on the development and validation of technological solutions in the field of air traffic management. It is funded by the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

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Turbulent times – academics and experts seek solutions for more resilient air traffic management

International projectsNews

16 September 2022; Around 100 participants from all over Europe and America attended the research workshop Single European Sky and Resilience in ATM in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 15-16 September. Organised by Danube FAB, Functional Airspace Block Europe Central (FABEC) and the German Aviation Research Society (GARS), the workshop brought together senior academics, high-level industry experts and regulators to exchange views on how to manage increasing uncertainty in air traffic management. In response to shocks such as tumbling demand during the pandemic, geopolitical upheaval, unpredictable weather phenomena and changing traffic patterns, delegates identified priority areas to increase resilience during challenging times.

Unpredictable events have become everyday reality and take different forms and range from local loss of traffic or local extreme weather to global shocks such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Rather than dwell on their frequency and cause, the workshop highlighted the importance of preparing for future uncertainties and shocks. For example, shifting traffic flow leads to excess demand and additional income in some states while others experience unused capacity and falling income. Just-in-time resource management is unsuited to these extreme fluctuations, and capacity planning take on greater importance. Disruptive events take different forms and range from local loss of traffic or local extreme weather to global shocks such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. There is a balance to be found between operational and financial resilience to withstand such events. Societal concern over climate change and environmental changes have a slow but long-lasting impact, but it is so far attributed minor importance in the regulation defining the mandate of air navigation services.

Among senior speakers, delegates heard from Princeton University Professor of Economics and Director of the Bendheim Center for Finance, Markus Brunnermeier, about managing uncertainty, and from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Radu Babiceanu about cyber security resilience. Industry representatives and academics from more than ten European countries and the United States contributed to in-depth discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing air traffic control and the value of resilient infrastructure. This resulted in key findings that highlight the importance of balanced performance targets, financial and operational buffers, regular stress tests and a collective approach to forecasting to best help manage future uncertainty.

The airspace of the six FABEC States of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland is one of the busiest and most complex in the world. The majority of major European airports, major civil airways and military training areas are located in this area. FABEC airspace covers 1.7 million km2 and handles over 55% of European air traffic. In 2020, FABEC won the ATM Environment Award for the second consecutive year.

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DANUBE FAB and FABEC organize a workshop “Single European Sky and Resilience in ATM”

Media centerNews

DANUBE FAB and FABEC organize a first-of-its-kind research workshop entitled, “Single European Sky and Resilience in ATM”. The event is hosted by BULATSA in cooperation with ROMATSA. The workshop will be held on 15 and 16 September in Sofia at Vivacom Art Hall Oborishte 5.

The extraordinary pandemic situation caused by Covid-19 has shown that the European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) are capable of coping with this situation, ensuring the safety of air traffic and the quality of service, while maintaining the critical infrastructure.

The aviation industry is also posed to a new challenge – the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with its economic and political consequences. Climate changes and extreme weather phenomena are also on the agenda and quick and timely solutions are expected.

The resilience in air navigation services is related to the operational and technical part of the system, as well as to the safety and security of flights and the development of contingency plans in case of emergency.

At the forum, experts from the aviation industry and representatives of the international academic community are expected to present scientific developments aimed at proposing strategic guidelines and alternatives to improve the sustainability of ANS in Europe in technological, economic and operational terms, so that flight servicing can be stable in future crises and can fulfill its mission as critical infrastructure.

In the conditions of difficult recovery and increasing volatility of traffic, the planning for the coming years is a complex and challenging task. The financial implications for the ANS providers are also very serious and require unified efforts of the sector.

Keynote speakers at the event will be:

Georgi Peev, Director General of BULATSA;

Michael Lokey, Chairman of FABEC, Federal Ministry of Digital Technology and Transport, Germany;

Professor Markus Brunnermeier, Edwards Sanford Professor of Economics, Director of the Bendheim Center for Finance, Princeton University, USA;

Radu Babiceanu, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach in Florida, USA;

Alessio Quaranta, Director General of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority and President of the Coordinating Committee of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC);

Denis Bouvier, Member of the European Air Navigation Performance Review Body (PRB);

Jesus Caballero, CEO of SOF Connect, Sofia Airport;

John Santurbano, Chairman of the FABEC CEO Board and Director of Eurocontrol MUAC.

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Publication of Aeronautical chart 1:500 000, edition 9.0

Media centerNews

Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority (BULATSA) notifies aircraft operators and users of the Bulgarian airspace regarding the publication of Aeronautical chart 1:500 000, edition 9.0. The chart is available free of charge only in electronic form on the corporate website of BULATSA: Services/Airspace management /Aeronautical chart 1:500 000.

Changes in edition 9.0:

  • Change of identification and lateral limits of danger areas for anti- hail activity;
  • Implementation of a new danger area for anti – hail activity – LBD11B;
  • Removal of information for LBBA – Bahovica, LBBR – Breznik, LBBZ – Bazan, LBDM – Dve Mogili, LBSE – Staro Selishte, LBVR – Vratsa and LBMD -Marina Dinevi;
  • Withdrawal of temporary reserved areas LBTRA41, LBTRA43, LBTRA72, LBTRA75, LBTRA76

and LBTRA77;

  • Implementation of new temporary reserved areas LBTRA41A, LBTRA41B, LBTRA43A,

LBTRA72A and LBTRA72B;

  • Renaming of LBTRA74 to LBTRA74A and changes in vertical limits of the area.
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Participation in CANSO 26th Annual General Meeting, CANSO Executive Summit 2022 and the World ATM Congress 2022

ActivitiesMedia centerNews

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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Record traffic in the sky over Bulgaria after the pandemic

Media centerNews


BULATSA serviced 3082 flights

For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, on Sunday BULATSA serviced 3082 flights over Bulgaria without delays.

After the lifting of restrictions on passenger transport, in the second quarter of 2022 there is an intensive recovery in the number of flights. Traffic levels vary between 85-95% on a daily basis compared to the number of flights in 2019, reaching up to 98% on the weekends. So far, there are registered single cases in which the daily levels now surpass those of the respective days in 2019.

Traffic in our airspace is expected to continue to recover, with some shift to the west in the flows and concentration in the central sectors due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The development of the conflict, the prices of energy carriers and their impact on the world economy and the COVID-19 pandemic will be key to the future development. An important factor will be the ability of airports and airlines to cope with the peak demand, because some flights are being canceled due to the lack of personnel in those two sectors.

The air traffic controllers in BULATSA are prepared for the increased traffic and all measures have been taken to ensure safe flight services. The expected highest values are in July and August.

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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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