BULATSA TOOK PART IN DISCUSSIONS ON THE CAPACITY CRISIS IN THE EUROPEAN AIRSPACE AND THE PARTICIPATION OF FUNCTIONAL AIRSPACE BLOCKS IN SESAR DEVELOPMENTS

A discussion hosted by FABEC on airspace capacity in Europe was held yesterday at the World Air Traffic Management Congress in Madrid. Representatives of functional airspace blocks in Europe (DANUBE FAB, BALTIC FAB, BLUE MED FAB, FABCE, FABEC) and the Network Manager discussed the views and experiences of passengers. The aim is to share the practices of the difficulties in servicing the increasing traffic and delays.
BULATSA’s position was presented by the Director of European Programmes, Projects and Strategies in BULATSA Mr. Veselin Stoyanov. Participants paid attention to factors, other than the provision of ANS, that have significant impact on airspace capacity. Analyzed was also the need to improve the environmental performance indicator, not only in the deviation from the shortest route, but also the possibility of using airspace and the preferences of airlines, for example an indicator that takes into account the free route compared to the other flight planning possibilities.
Earlier at the Congress was also held a debate on the participation of functional airspace blocks in SESAR solutions, hosted by DANUBE FAB and moderated by James Hanson, Helios. In the discussion took part Mr. Nikolas Warinsko (SDM), Mr. Filip Cornelis (DG MOVE), Mr. Jakob Kepa (SDM) and representatives of DANUBE FAB, BALTIC FAB, BLUE MED FAB, FAB Europe Central and FAB Central Europe.
A main focus was placed on the challenges and opportunities for developing the role of FABs. FAB representatives united in their desire to further develop the FAB concept and to ensure participation in the preparation of the future European airspace architecture. They expressed firm support for the development of the functional airspace blocks in the context of SESAR. According to Mr Nikolas Warinsko, SDM is ready to continue its work on FABs involvement as key factors in SESAR’s technological progress.