How Europe’s ANSPs are ramping up for surge in summer traffic.
Airspace might be more restricted now than it was in 2022 due to the impact of the war on Ukraine. However, with higher than ever levels of traffic since the pandemic expected in the coming months air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are putting new measures in place, according to the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO).
With Europe’s busy summer season now underway and skies in the coming months expected to be busier than ever since the pandemic, ANSPs are gearing up to ensure safe, efficient air traffic management.
“ANSPs across Europe are working tirelessly to ensure safe and efficient operations and optimal use of restricted airspace during what will undoubtedly be a busy summer for aviation,” said Simon Hocquard, CANSO Director General. He explained that the restricted airspace is because of available airspace being 20 per cent smaller since 2022 due to the impact of the Ukraine war on traffic flows.
Adverse weather set to cause delays
The spike in passenger traffic combined with restricted airspace will be further exacerbated by the forecast of stormy weather. As with last summer when thunderstorm activity was the primary cause of air traffic delays across Europe, adverse weather is once again expected to disrupt operations this summer.
To address adverse weather, new management procedures are being introduced including the recruitment of meteorological experts to work alongside operational staff, providing them with real time or more frequent in-house sectoral weather forecasts.
Greater capacity and flexibility
Other measures being introduced by ANSPs across Europe include optimisation of sectors, both horizontally and vertically. This includes the implementation of new flight levels to enable more capacity, greater flexibility to manage bad weather and mor solutions to manage intruders.
To address the shortage of skilled air traffic controllers (ATCOs) both in the short and longer term, ANSPs have also launched recruitment campaigns to secure more ATCOs. In addition, digitalisation projects have been initiated to improve airspace capacity and efficiency.
Think network campaign
Other initiatives include improved rostering through agreements with unions to allow for more flexibility in working arrangements, as well as enhanced collaboration with all the key players in aviation. The latter is aligned with Eurocontrol’s #thinkNetwork campaign, which promotes measures such as pilots flying their filed flight plan; controllers sticking to the flight plan’s vertical and lateral profile; and airports keeping the network informed of any issue that might trigger a delay.
“We call on all our operational partners to fulfil the expectations of the Eurocontrol #thinknetwork campaign so that we can all keep delays to a minimum for passengers,” said Hocquard.
Image source: CANSO
