IAA/NATS airspace study underway

Citation

(2005), "IAA/NATS airspace study underway", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 77 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2005.12777cab.008

IAA/NATS airspace study underway

IAA/NATS airspace study underway

Keywords: Air traffic control

A study into the issues associated with establishing a Functional Airspace Block (FAB) in Ireland/UK airspace areas is underway, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and National Air Traffic Services (NATS) recently confirmed.

The project will, potentially, pave the way for one of the first FABs in Europe.

The announcement follows a joint statement from the two providers last November, inviting industry consultants to bid for the contract. Helios Technology Limited was appointed to carry out a wide-ranging review presenting its findings at the end of May.

Eamonn Brennan and Paul Barron, the respective chief executives of the IAA and NATS, said: “Our organisations have a long history of co-operation and we both believe that the time has arrived to jointly explore the feasibility of establishing an Ireland/UK FAB. This development is very much in line with the ambitions of the Single European Sky and we are keen to demonstrate that we are serious about achieving that”.

The Single European Sky is a EU initiative, aimed at creating a more efficient and harmonised air traffic management system. The EU's Single European Sky regulations have entrusted European States with the establishment of FABs and a limited period in which to develop their own proposals.

The joint study considers the impact of Single European Sky Regulations and its Mandates, the flexible use of airspace, and joint safety and performance management.

This study identifies – the airspace currently controlled by both parties – the operational, technical, institutional, financial and regulatory aspects of such a move, weighing up stakeholder benefits and concerns and evaluating what further work is needed. It may also provide a template for future FAB assessments.

Helios Technology Limited consulted with all key stakeholders in both countries, including Government departments, client airlines and other airspace users, trade unions and regulatory authorities.

Helios Technology Limited has a wide range of relevant experience in air traffic management and Single European Sky regulatory aspects and was one of the five industry consultants who tendered for the contract.

The Single European Sky is a EU initiative aimed to reform the outdated architecture of the European air traffic control system and safely expand its capacity to manage increased traffic volumes.

The creation of FABs as provided for by Single European Sky legislation is seen by European air traffic control providers and airspace regulators alike as one of the key building blocks for the creation of a Single European Sky. This is a EU initiative aimed at creating a more efficient and harmonised air traffic management system.

Details available from: Irish Aviation Authority. Tel: 00 353 61 366 226/00 353 87 647 4079; E-mail: lilian.cassin@iaa.ie and National Air Traffic Services. Tel: 00 44 1489 615945.