Twentieth Meeting of the DANUBE FAB Governing Bodies
On Wednesday, 10th and Thursday, 11th May 2023, the DANUBE FAB Governing Bodies met in Sofia for their twentieth meeting, marking the continuous efforts of Bulgaria and Romania to shape the strategic direction and priorities for the FAB and to progress further their cooperation with key projects for the benefit of safe and efficient provision of ANS.
The DANUBE FAB ANSP Board approved the FAB Strategic Programme 2023-2027, Annual Plan 2023 and Annual Report 2022 documents and presented them for approval by the Governing Council.
The Board members were updated on projects that have recently been completed and significantly progressed within the FAB. The most notable was the continued expansion of South East Europe Free Route Airspace (SEE FRA) with the inclusion of FRACZECH in February 2023.
The ANSP Board agreed to have the next DANUBE FAB Social Consultation Forum in the autumn of 2023 in Bulgaria.
The 20th Governing Council meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Civil and Military Aviation Authorities, National Supervisory Authorities and ANSPs from both States. In accordance with DANUBE FAB Observer Policy, representatives from Republic of Moldova were also welcomed.
The Council representatives focused on the on-going high priority projects: Free Route Airspace and InterFAB Cooperation. Members also approved the FAB strategic documents, Strategic Programme 2023-2027, Annual Report 2022 and the Annual Plan 2023.
Regarding the recent EU developments, specific updates and discussions took place such as the accession of BULATSA and ROMATSA to the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking, their joint participation in the Digital European Sky Industrial Research Call for proposals, the new SESAR Deployment Manager Partnership and possible ways to find common grounds for a future collaboration.
As DANUBE FAB is following closely the potential impact of the reform of the SES legislative framework on ATM in the region as well as on FABs in general, the members of the Council reiterated the importance of the SES reform to enable the response to current challenges.
The next round of DANUBE FAB Governing Bodies meetings are planned for the autumn of 2023 in Romania.
