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4/2 Bientôt un Espace Aérien sans frontière ? --- Weldra een Luchtruim zonder Grenzen ?

Dans le cadre de la Réglementation du Ciel Unique Européen, six pays: la Belgique, les Pays-Bas, le Luxembourg, l'Allemagne, la France et la Suisse ont entamé une étude de faisabilité d'un "Functional Airspace Block" (FAB). Il est demandé aux Etats d'organiser leur Espace Aérien de façon telle qu'il ne soit plus limité aux frontières nationales. ----- In verband met de Reglementering van het Gemeenschappelijke Europese Luchtruim, zijn zes landen: België, Nederland, Luxemburg, Duitsland, Frankrijk en Zwitserland met een haalbaarheidsstudie van een "Functional Airspace Block" begonnen (FAB). Men vraagt aan de Staten om hun Luchtruim te organiseren dusdanig dat het niet meer wordt beperkt tot de nationale grenzen.

FAB Europe Central Feasibility Study Stakeholder Forum

Belgocontrol 16 February 2007

By Louis BERGER VP EAS


Background : This Study was officially launched in November 2006 by six countries : Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg Germany France and Switzerland. It is aiming at creating a common Functional Airspace Block (FAB) for the core area of Europe. The development of FABs is one of the objectives of the « Single European Sky » (SES), which requires States to design their airspace such that they are no longer constrained by national boundaries, to meet the needs of fast growing traffic.

The 16 February Forum at Belgocontrol.
After the welcome of Jean-Claude Tintin CEO Belgocontrol, Jules Kneepkens, the new DG of the Belgian CAA made his presentation as chairman of the High Level Policy Group (HLPG). He pointed out namely that FAB Europe Central surpasses the SES criteria because it includes also Lower Airspace. It requires co-operation with:

  • the 6 Member States;
  • the 7 Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs): Belgocontrol, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands, Aeroport Luxembourg, Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), Eurocontrol, DGAC/DSNA (Fr CAA) and Skyguide from Switzerland;
  • the Military and Air Forces.

UK is offered a co-operative partnership.

He detailed the objectives of FAB Europe Central, the characteristics of its airspace, the expected benefits, the decision criteria, the identified risks, etc…

He insisted on the consultation of all stakeholders. After this 1st forum, there will be a second one in autumn and a 3d one in Spring next year. The Feasibility study should be concluded in 2008.

Presentation of Bernard Martens from Belgocontrol explained the method of Working.
He explained namely an organisation chart in which man can see:

At the top of FAB Europe Central Jules Kneepkens, chairman of the High Level Policy Group (HLPG);

Followed by himself (B. Martens), chairman of Steering Group, and F. Van Ham (from Helios) Project Management Office. Together they are making up the executive body.

Under the Project Management Office there are 7 WG:
  • Operational WG ;
  • Technical WG ;
  • Financial WG ;
  • Human Resources WG ;
  • Regulatory/Institutional /Legal WG;
  • Civil / Military WG;
  • Safety WG.

Plus a Communication WG directly linked to the Project Management Office.

The chairman of each of those WG made a presentation. Those presentations are not yet available in an electronic version.
Interesting to note what the chairman of Finance WG pointed out when talking about the risks and challenges: in addition to Regulation 1794/2006, FAB charging regime could come out at the end of the study.

Finally a panel session was led by chairman HLPG . Representatives of the States and the military gave their expectations and commitments.
Here are the names of those representatives :

Belgium : J. Kneepkens DG B CAA;
France : Gilles Mantoux. Vice Director, Safety and Airspace FR CAA;
Germany : Dirk Nitschke, Deputy Director ANS Division G CAA
Netherlands : Theo Zandstra Programme Manager Air Traffic Nl CAA
Switzerland : Marcel G. Zuckschwerdt, Director Aviation Policy & Strategy . S CAA
Military Lt Col Jan-Paul Apon head Airports & Airspace Nl military authority.


Although a positive mood was noted, the political problem of sovereignty might pose a problem in certain States. It could take a certain time to arrive to an agreement.

Each participant was invited to fill in a “Feedback form” with his comments.
As Europe Air Sports delegate, I wrote on the spot, the following comments:

Europe Air Sports understands the objectives of the FAB Project and the advantages it can offer to the AirLines in general. But EAS is also an other type of civil Air User. It is anxious to know what free airspace will be left (in lower airspace) in order for its various air sports disciplines be able to continue to have their activities in the air. This is particularly important for those flying machines that do not have a power supply on board and will never be able to get one.

A formal response to the comments will be sent by e-mail. It will also be used as input for the 2de Stakeholder Forum.
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