EUROCONTROL SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The EEC is Operating a Safety Management System


In 2004, the senior management team of the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC) decided that a safety management system (SMS) should be developed at the EEC. The aim of putting such a system into place is to provide the EEC with the means to detect, from the very first stages of an ATM project (namely the development of concepts and ideas and design), ATM-related safety issues that might otherwise only become apparent later on when incidents or accidents occur. Once detected, these safety issues could be addressed so as to eliminate or reduce their effect on the safety of the future air transport system.

Consequently, putting such an SMS in place could help to prevent accidents in the future and could also ensure safety ‘coherence’ in the future vision of ATM (in particular with the advent of SESAR). Note though that, whilst it is considered good practice for an operational type of organisation to have an SMS, it is less common for an R&D centre to have an SMS that can have a real impact on the safety of its products.

The figure below illustrates the five key activities of the EEC' SMS; they are displayed in the form of a continual improvement loop. The arrow spiralling up indicates that the assurance and promotion activities together should ensure that the EEC's SMS continually improves and, as it does, so should safety performance.



More information is available below:
HTML Policy
HTML Plan
HTML Achievement
HTML Assurance
HTML Promotion


The EEC's Work Programme

The work programme of the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC) is the sum of all the activities that are carried out by the staff of the EEC to meet the business objectives that have been set for them collectively. The activities that are carried out depends on the strategic business objectives of the EUROCONTROL agency.
HTML The Agency's strategic business objectives


The work programme breakdown
The overall work programme is broken down into a small number of first-level units, known as work packages. Each first-level work package can itself be decomposed into a number of second-level work packages, which can themselves be decomposed into a number of third-level work packages. And so on.


The first-level work packages
The EEC's work programme is composed of 6 first-level work packages. These are:
Management
HTML Short-term Support
HTML Mid-term Validation
HTML Long-term Investigation
HTML Innovative Studies
HTML Research Enablers


About The EEC


The origins of the Experimental Centre
The EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC) was officially established as the research and development arm of the EUROCONTROL Agency about 45 years ago. Its initial responsibilities were defined as:
carrying out operational research and testing air traffic control (ATC) methods,
performing operational demonstrations of the validity of the ATC system proposed, and
evaluating, operationally and technically, equipment being developed for ATC systems.

The EEC was the first establishment in the world to perform a totally digital real-time simulation for ATC. A real-time simulation replicates the control room of an ATC centre and the ATC system behaviour as well as the behaviour of the aircraft in the designated airspace. The controller interacts with the system in the same way as with the operational environment, and dialogues with pseudo pilots (human beings) who receive the instructions of the controller and "fly" the simulated aircraft. The purpose of a real-time simulation is to obtain air traffic controller validation of the new features being simulated and tested such as new tools, new airspace design, new procedures, new air routes. It is of paramount importance to fully validate such new features before they can be operationally implemented by the national air navigation service providers.


The Experimental Centre today
The staff and resources of the EEC are now integrated into the Cooperative Network Design (CND) directorate.
HTML Find our more about the CND directorate.

We currently have more than 250 staff: scientists, engineers, controllers, and support and administrative staff. We recruit them from all of the EUROCONTROL member states and this cultural mix combines with academic excellence to generate a vibrant and innovative environment.


The EEC Building

The EEC building is set on a site of some 90,000 square metres and has a total floor space of some 15,000 square metres which comprises office space, meeting rooms, video conferencing facilities, experimental rooms, and workshops, in addition to the real-time simulation area consisting of two control rooms and a pilot room.


The Research Areas of the EEC

At the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC), the portfolio of activities that are carried out to implement the work programme are partitioned amongst 4 areas of research, namely:
HTML Airport
HTML Air Traffic Control (ATC)
HTML Communications-Navigation-Surveillance (CNS)
HTML Network


Research Methods

At the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC), the Research Methods team (RMS) is a provider of analytical services that help the EEC to provide objective evidence to stakeholders about the potential value and expected impact of the concepts under development. In a similar way, RMS provides objective data supporting policy making bodies in their regulatory choices.

RMS promotes the importance of technical quality and consistency in the work and delivery of the centre. To do so, RMS develops methods that it will continuously examine and improve in order to provide an effective and efficient set of services in line with the needs of the EEC work programme, and the SESAR Joint Undertaking (JU) expectations to evaluate SESAR concept performance.

The methods fall into the following five fields of study:
HTML Environment
HTML Human Factors
HTML Safety
HTML Support to Regulation
HTML Validation


Models, Tools, and Simulators


Purpose
At the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC), the objective of the "Models, Tools, and Simulators" work package is to:
develop, and maintain, a set of software and hardware validation tools for use in the validation activities at the EEC, and
drive the development of a coherent European research and validation infrastructure consistent with the requirements of the "SESAR" (Single European Sky ATM Research) programme.


Work breakdown
This work package is split into 6 areas, namely:
HTML Aircraft Performance Model
HTML ATFM Modelling Tools
HTML Fast-time Simulation Tools
HTML Real-time Simulation Tools
HTML Software Engineering
External initiatives


External initiatives
The "European Validation Infrastructure" initiative
In order to anticipate the needs for the validation activities of the "SESAR" programme, the EVI (European
Validation Infrastructure) initiative was launched.
HTML The "SESAR" programme

The major actors from the ATM research community were brought together to identify the infrastructure needed to support:
the validation of the ATM operational concept, and
the assessment of the performance of the ATM operational concept

whilst ensuring compliance with the E-OCVM (European Operational Concept Validation Methodology).
HTML The E-OCVM

The scope of the EVI is:
all ground and airborne ATM elements,
all current and future ATM concepts, and

This covers a wide range of simulations and modelling facilities, such as:
analytical performance models,
analytical measurement methods and tools,
automatic/fast-time simulation tools,
human-in-the-loop simulation platforms (real-time simulations), and
field experiment platforms

that have been, or are being, developed and operated within various organisations in Europe.



Projects Undertaken by the EEC


Completed projects
HTML Selected completed projects


Current projects
Part funded by the European Commission
Some of the projects that are currently under way at the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC) are funded in part by the European Commission.
HTML Current projects that are part-funded by the European Commission

Many of the other projects that are currently under way at the EEC are listed below.


A-B
HTML ACAS Monitoring ACAS Operational Monitoring/TCAS Alert Analysis
HTML Air-TN Air Transport Net
HTML ASAS-TN II Airborne Separation Assistance System Thematic Network 2
HTML ASSTAR Advanced Safe Separation Technologies and Algorithms
HTML ASTP ADS Studies and Trials
HTML ATFM Studies ATFM Simulation in Support of CFMU Operation


HTML BADA The Base of Aircraft Data


C-E
HTML CAATS II Co-operative Approach to Air Traffic Services II
HTML CAMES Co-operative ATM Measures for a European Single Sky
HTML CARE-INO Co-ordinated Actions for Research in EUROCONTROL
HTML CATS Contract-based Air Transportation System
HTML COCA Complexity and Capacity Analysis
HTML CoSpace ASAS Activities at the EEC
HTML CREDOS Crosswind Reduced Departure Separations


HTML Datalink Enabling Controller-Pilot Datalink Communication


HTML EAT Experiments and Trial Platform Development
HTML ECHOES EUROCONTROL - Consolidation of HMI for Operations, Evaluations and Simulations
HTML EMMA 2 European Airport Movement Management by A-SMGCS
HTML Enhanced FAP Enhanced FAP Methodology
HTML ENV KPI Environment Key Performance Indicators
HTML EPATS European Personal Air Transport System
HTML Episode 3 Improvement of ATM System Processes Through Validation
HTML ERASMUS En-Route Air Traffic Soft Management Ultimate System
HTML ERATS Environmentally-responsible Air Transport
HTML ERIS eDEP Early Demonstration and Evaluation Platform for Rapid Prototyping
HTML ESAO/SOPHOS Environment General ESAO/SOPHOS
HTML EVP EATMP Validation Platform
HTML Exploratory Studies Studies on Society, the Environment, and Economy


F-M
HTML FAM CAMES Future ATFM Measures for CAMES
HTML FAP Future ATM Profile


HTML GAES Global Aviation Emissions Studies
HTML GENSPACE Generic Airspace and Environment for Common Use
HTML GROUND Centralising Flight Plan and Surveillance Data
HTML GTG Gate-to-Gate 2005


HTML HADES Help Tool for Airspace Design
HTML HISAC Environmentally-friendly High Speed Aircraft


HTML iFly ATM-supported Autonomous Aircraft
HTML IMAGINE Improved Methods for the Assessment of the Generic Impact of Noise in the Environment
HTML ITWP Integrated Tower Working Position


HTML MASS Multi-aircraft Simplified Simulator
HTML MCS A Pilotable High-fidelity Aircraft Simulator
HTML MIME Market-based Impact Mitigation for the Environment
HTML Mode S Mode S Development and Experiments


N-R
HTML NEVAC ACC and Network Capacity Evaluation Tool
HTML NUP2+ NEAN Update Project 2+


HTML OASIS Open Architecture for Simulation Systems
HTML OPTIMAL Optimised Procedures and Techniques for Improvement of Approach and Landing


HTML Paradigm SHIFT Holistic Approach of the Air Navigation System Organisation Based on Contracts of Objectives and Dual Airspace
HTML Point Merge Improving and Harmonising Arrival Operations with Existing Technology
HTML PROVE European ATC Pre-operational Validation and Experimental Trial


HTML RESET Reducing Separation Standards


S-Z
HTML SAFMOD Safety Modelling
HTML STORIA Software Tool for On-line Recording and Interactive Analysis
HTML Super Highway Developing an Innovative Airspace Traffic Structure
HTML SWIM-Suit System-wide-information-management-supported Innovative Technologies


HTML TESA Toolset For Environmental Sustainability Assessment
HTML Time-based Separations A New Concept of Operation for the Arrival Phase of Flights


HTML WakeSep Wake Vortex Separation Reductions



Traffic Flow and Capacity Management


Quick links
HTML Click here for detailed information on Central Flow Management Unit


Setting the scene

As with any other commodity, airspace is a valuable resource, particularly when subject to high traffic demand. Since airspace is a fixed volume, its management (i.e. its organisation and use) is a vital activity to satisfy the needs of the aircraft operators in the most efficient and equitable manner.

However, the ebb and flow of economic activity and the surge in traffic demand during certain periods, mean that the available Air Traffic Control (ATC) capacity needs a smoothing mechanism to avoid overloads and to maximise the use of the airspace. This 'mechanism' is known as Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) and the dual objectives; to avoid overloads and to ensure that capacity is fully exploited, represent the core ATFM activities.



Air Traffic Flow Management is provided within Europe by the Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) which is operated by EUROCONTROL for the benefit of all airspace users, including of course, the travelling public.

Organising the airspace is another paramount activity for us. It is supported by EUROCONTROL's strategy for airspace management. One Sky for Europe is our motto.


Related links
HTML Click here to access CFMU web site


Stakeholders
If you are involved, in whatever capacity, with air navigation, you matter to us.

The world of air navigation is large and complex. We wish to fully share our knowledge, experience and vision to increase synergies between all our stakeholders, and contribute to the vitality of your business. This is why our public website is so large.

As we are keen to increase our audience and stimulate awareness and understanding of EUROCONTROL's mission, we have prepared a guided tour tailored at your specific needs.


But before you embark on your journey, here is a brief reminder of what EUROCONTROL is and does:
Our organisation
Our business


Enjoy navigating across our website.



Aeronautics industry
Air navigation service providers Airports Air traffic controllers Military Regulatory authorities
Civil airspace users Pilots Passengers Media Education world Help with stakeholder groups


Online Services
Access OneSky Online, EUROCONTROL's extranet OneSky Online
EUROCONTROL's extranet accessible to
all stakeholders

The aircraft operators' corner for all information to safely fly across Europe Aircraft Operators' Corner
All the information you need to fly safely across European skies


Improving Safety in Air Navigation

Flying is the safest way of travelling.

There have been fewer fatalities in the entire history of civil aviation over the world than there are road deaths every year in Europe and in the U.S.



Why is flying so safe?
Safety is the top priority in aviation. In fact the main purpose of Air Traffic Management (ATM) services is to ensure that airplanes depart, fly and land safely, while maintaining the most efficient operational and economic conditions.

Safety is EUROCONTROL’s raison d’être. Our aim is to ensure that air traffic management services, of which air traffic control is a part, remain safe today and in the future.
Safety in European air traffic management
Fact sheet on EUROCONTROL's role in air traffic safety
Acrobat EUROCONTROL Safety Policy (revised June 2008) [132 KB]


Reducing incidents while traffic continues to grow
The biggest challenge for safety is traffic growth because when traffic doubles, risk is squared. And traffic is growing by about 5% a year, which means that there will be twice as many airplanes in the sky in 2020 as there are now.

As the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, EUROCONTROL is intensifying its efforts to maintain the highest safety levels. In fact safety performance needs to be improved ten-fold to make sure that the rate of accidents does not increase.
European Safety Programme for Air Traffic Management
Watch our first 'Fly' programme on air traffic management

2006 was the safest year on record for aviation in Europe and the third consecutive year in which there were no ATM-service related accidents. This was despite an all-time annual record of almost 10 million flights in European airspace.



Active in all areas of air traffic management safety
EUROCONTROL is actively involved in all areas of Air Traffic Management (ATM) safety:


Safety research
Our researchers are constantly testing and developing new safety management concepts and safety assessment methodologies and tools for the benefit of the entire aviation community.
Safety research activities at EUROCONTROL


Safety planning
Our strategic safety planning activities contribute to shaping the future Single European Sky by bringing safety into the design of future ATM concepts.
SafeSky: strategic safety planning at EUROCONTROL


Safety management
The purpose of safety management is to oversee that safety rules for all products and services are applied and then monitored. This means that everyone involved in air navigation, from the air traffic controller to the Minister of Transport, has a role to play in air traffic management safety.
Safety management systems in European air traffic management
A Just Culture: supporting an open reporting culture in air traffic management


Safety operations
Our European ATM performance enhancement programme seeks to continuously improve safety by addressing the complexity of current operations and strengthening the defences against the risk of aircraft accidents.
European Air Traffic Management Enhancement Programme
Air traffic management safety enhancement tools


Safety regulation
Our experts support the independent Safety Regulation Commission which provides advice on safety matters in Europe to EUROCONTROL governing bodies and contributes to the harmonisation of ATM safety regulation across Europe.
Safety Regulation Commission website


The Single European Sky

As the European organisation for the safety of air navigation, EUROCONTROL is actively involved in the Single European Sky initiative to provide a uniform and high level of safety over Europe’s skies, while at the same time accommodating growing air traffic demands.

EUROCONTROL contributes to both the regulatory and the technological dimensions of the Single European Sky.

The Single European Sky (SES) is an ambitious initiative, launched by the European Commission in 1999, to reform the architecture of European air traffic management (ATM). It puts forward a legislative approach to meet future capacity and safety needs at a European rather than at local level.

Key objectives of this initiative are:
1. to restructure European airspace as a function of air traffic flows;
2. to create additional capacity; and
3. to increase the overall efficiency of the European air traffic management system.


Optimising Air Traffic Management Efficiency

The European air traffic management system is so complex and sophisticated that the slightest efficiency improvement saves millions of euros.

The demand in air traffic is growing so fast that a more efficient management and use of airspace significantly increases its capacity to accommodate more flights.

Now you understand why efficiency is at the top of our agenda.



Reducing costs to improve our overall air traffic management performance
Why are air navigation services not efficient enough? There are two main reasons:
Fragmentation: Unlike U.S. air traffic management, European air traffic management is not an entity. It is still a long way from its declared, fully integrated destination which is the Singe European Sky.
Complexity: The Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is a highly complex system which requires significant human and technological investments.

As a consequence the whole system is less efficient than it could be, thus negatively impacting on the overall European ATM performance and cost-efficiency.

EUROCONTROL strives to bring the ATM system efficiency close to its optimum level, with potential savings for airspace users evaluated by some at € 3.4 billion per year.



Setting ambitious targets for cost-effective air navigation services
"You can only improve what you can measure". The independent Performance Review Commission was created in 1998 to develop a Europe-based yearly performance measurement system and to report on ATM system performance.
Performance Review Commission website

The Performance Review Commission identified three areas in which structural improvements could significantly boost efficiency, and which have already shown positive results since 2003:
Cost effectiveness: measured using the real en-route unit cost per km, in other words, the cost of a flight while in the air.
Flight efficiency: measured by calculating the difference between the optimal route and the real route flown by a plane.
Delays: measured using the number of minutes delay per flight caused by air traffic management flow.

Having a higher authority to measure performance and advise decision-makers however is not sufficient.
A pan-European programme is also necessary to help States and air navigation service providers focus their efforts on the same areas in order to reach commonly agreed objectives. This will ultimately lead to optimal performance levels of all air traffic management actors.

This programme exists: EUROCONTROL’s Performance Enhancement Programme for European Air Traffic Management in Europe.
European Air Traffic Management Programme (EATM)


Fostering stakeholder interaction
By improving interaction between airlines, civil and military users, airports and ATM operations, the system could become event more efficient.

The following two examples illustrate how well-designed concepts can contribute to overall network efficiency:
Airport Collaborative Decision Making EUROCONTROL’s Airport Collaborative Decision Making Programme makes airport operations more efficient, by providing better predictability of airport operations and reducing airplane taxi times.
Flexible Use of Airspace The application of the "Flexible Use of Airspace" concept is a major enabler of flight-efficiency in Europe, by promoting a more efficient allocation of airspace between civil and military users.


Regional Air Traffic Control Services in Europe
Air traffic control at the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre
EUROCONTROL was created originally to provide air traffic control services in Europe’s upper airspace (above 24,500 feet or 7.5 km).

This objective could not be fulfilled because of a shift in political context. But the EUROCONTROL Agency set the first cornerstone of a single sky for Europe with the establishment of an international air traffic control centre in 1972. For the first time ever in Europe, air traffic in one country was controlled by a jointly managed facility located in another country.

With over 30 years experience in the operation of an international air traffic control centre, EUROCONTROL is at the forefront of European air navigation improvements.

Air traffic control in Europe
Watch our fourth 'Fly' programme on air traffic control in Europe


Air traffic control at its best
EUROCONTROL’s international air traffic control centre is known as the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre. It provides uniform air navigation services in the upper airspace of Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and north-west Germany. It relies on a team of 600 highly qualified professionals, almost half of which are air traffic controllers.

Through its focus on innovation, productivity and customer satisfaction, the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre is leading the way in air traffic control services across Europe.
Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC)
Become an air traffic controller


Taking a European approach to air traffic control
A similar initiative to that of the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre is in the pipeline for the Central European region.

In 2006 four States – Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary and Slovakia – agreed to develop a Central European Upper Area Control Centre. The agreement they signed is known as the Central European Air Traffic Services (CEATS) Agreement.
Central European Air Traffic Services Agreement (CEATS)


Air Navigation Charges


Quick links
HTML Click here for detailed information on Air Navigation Charges


Route Charges

The Central Route Charges Office (CRCO) bills and collects en-route charges on behalf of EUROCONTROL Member States:

These route charges remunerate the costs incurred by the EUROCONTROL Member States for providing en-route services to the users of their airspace.

EUROCONTROL bills and collects route charges by virtue of a common policy that builds on the provisions of the Multilateral Agreement relating to Route Charges. This common policy, as well as the operation of a common route charges system by EUROCONTROL (CRCO), efficiently contribute to the funding of a coherent and coordinated air traffic management system in Europe.


A Common Route Charges System
EUROCONTROL's Member States made two fundamental choices concerning the funding of air traffic management services in Europe:
They decided that the costs of providing route services should be borne by the users of their airspace (airlines, aircraft operators) and eventually by the customers of these users. In other parts of the world tax payers may still bear these costs;
They also decided to adopt a common policy in respect of route charges and they accordingly agreed to create a joint system for the establishment and the collection of these charges.

The System is organised on a cooperative basis to ensure that all Member States have an equal say and can pool their ideas and know-how. It is therefore managed in a spirit of harmonisation. It also takes due regard of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations, in particular that any charging system should be regional in nature and that the administrative cost of collecting route charges should not exceed a reasonable proportion of the income from such charges.

The Route Charges System is an example of effective co-operation at European level that Member States desire to continue and strengthen.


Operation of the Common Route Charges System
The EUROCONTROL Route Charges System is a harmonised regional system whereby route charges: (a) are established according to a common formula which takes account of the costs incurred by Member States in respect of air traffic facilities and services and (b) are collected by EUROCONTROL as a single charge per flight.

The CRCO operates EUROCONTROL's Route Charges System. It issues one bill per flight or series of flights, irrespective of the number of Member States overflown. The bill is settled by a single payment, in one currency - the euro, to one body - EUROCONTROL's CRCO.


Terminal Charges
The CRCO provides Member States with billing and collection services for terminal charges as a logical extension of route charges.


Bilateral Air Navigation Charges
The CRCO also provides billing and collection services for air navigation charges (en-route and terminal services) on a bilateral basis to non-Member States.

Do you want to obtain more information on charges billed and collected by EUROCONTROL (CRCO)?
HTML Please go to the CRCO web site


Training


Quick links
HTML Click here for detailed information on EUROCONTROL Institute of Air Navigation Services
HTML Click here for detailed information on EUROCONTROL Central Flow Management Unit courses
HTML Click here to access EUROCONTROL's E-learning portal


Setting the scene

Quality education and knowledge sharing are fundamental prerequisites in the development and implementation of a uniform and high-performance Air Traffic Management (ATM) system in Europe.

The Institute of Air Navigation Services is in charge of providing high level and up-to-date training for the benefit of the EUROCONTROL Agency and its Member States.

Training related to the operations of the Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) is mainly provided by the CFMU within the framework of an E-learning strategy. The CFMU has based the training of its customers on distance learning through virtual classrooms as well as self paced training packages put on the Internet.



E-learning services
Both the Institute of Air Navigation Services (IANS) and the Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) deliver online training through EUROCONTROL’s Learning Management System (LMS).

If you already have a username to access the LMS, click on the link below for immediate access.
EUROCONTROL E-learning

Note : If you do not have a username yet, please follow the links to CFMU or IANS, as provided on this page, depending on your area of interest.


Training at the Institute of Air Navigation Services
As part of an international organisation, EUROCONTROL, the Institute has access to the knowledge and tools to embrace the ATM training issues at European level.
The common goal for all stakeholders is to grant that ATM related training needs in the 41 ECAC States are met in accordance with objectives. The exchange of knowledge has to be planned to guarantee the implementation of the EUROCONTROL's performance enhancement programme for European ATM.



Any staff category coming from the air navigation sector, public or private, civil or military, is concerned, either operational, administrative or managerial.
The EUROCONTROL Institute of Air Navigation Services has not been assigned the role of fulfilling all training needs but rather disseminates all relevant knowledge to those organisations that need it.

Emphasis is put on the training of trainers in order to cascade the effort, leading rapidly to high availability of trainers and training material.
As ATM staff are key contributors to the achievement of the high safety level of air navigation in Europe, the EUROCONTROL Institute ensures that staff involved in air traffic management and control in the ECAC States:
show a high awareness level of safety requirements;
are equally familiar with the common strategies;
have the same understanding of common concepts;
use the same terminology.


The Last Barrier ?

Airports



We do understand that airports work in a highly competitive environment. Our knowledge of air traffic management is available to any airport operator who wants to increase capacity on the ground by incorporating the gate-to-gate operational concept in their development strategy. Our neutrality is no obstacle to active cooperation with the most progressive airport operators.

Gate-to-gate air traffic management exemplifies the interdependence of all stakeholders in air navigation. This concept promises increased capacity, safety and environmental benefits. It requires full cooperation between air navigation service providers, airports and airlines.

The time when each stakeholder was doing its own efficient best without involving other stakeholders is rapidly coming to an end. The future belongs to a fully integrated network.

Of course, cooperation between airports, airlines and air navigation service providers is nothing new. It is as old as the industry itself. What is new is the very high degree of integration that is increasingly being required to optimise the use of two very limited resources: space on the ground and time. Air and ground based operators have a common interest in a higher throughput of the system.

Airport capacity is indeed becoming the limiting factor in overall system performance.

As en-route capacity increasingly matches demand, airport constraints become more dominant. The number of slot-controlled airports has grown constantly over the last 10 years.

At EUROCONTROL, we are aware that you – the airports – have a much broader role to play in air traffic management. We realise that until recently, airports’ input into air traffic management had not been fully integrated into the overall planning and organisation of air traffic management.

EUROCONTROL undertakes general studies that aim at improving the interface between the airport and air navigation systems. At the request of national civil and military authorities, EUROCONTROL could also undertake specific studies for a particular airport. In this context, we are keen to build closer relations with you.


Links
With thousands of pages, EUROCONTROL's website is so large that it can present quite a challenge, particularly to the first time visitor. To make it easier for you, we have selected the links below to take you directly to some of the pages we think might be of interest to you. From these pages, you can always navigate further.
HTML Airport Operations Programme
HTML ATM Strategy
HTML Statistics & Forecasts
HTML Security
HTML Capacity
HTML Delay
HTML Environment
HTML Air Navigation Charges


Your personal contact
We hope that we have answered your initial questions. If not, do not hesitate to send a query to the contact person below : click on the e-mail to open an electronic message.
Mr Paul Wilson
Email: paul.wilson@eurocontrol.int


Securing the Skies
Security
The growing threat to the aviation industry from terrorist acts means that the security of passengers, airplanes and even air traffic management facilities is assuming greater importance.

Air traffic management plays a critical part in ensuring that civil aviation can continue to operate normally thanks to adequate protection.

While continuing to enhance airport and airplane security, aviation partners are now focusing on airspace and air traffic management security, both areas in which EUROCONTROL plays a pivotal role on the European scene.



A facilitating role in European aviation security matters
As a civil-military organisation and thanks to its extensive connections in the aviation community, EUROCONTROL plays a facilitating role in improving security in air navigation across Europe, together with NATO, air navigation service providers and other stakeholders.
Air traffic management security in Europe
Civil-military coordination on airspace security

EUROCONTROL and its partners work on two complementary areas of aviation security:
Air Traffic Management (ATM) security is concerned with securing the ATM assets and services, to prevent threats and limit their effects on the overall aviation network.
Airspace security on the other hand seeks to safeguard the airspace from unauthorised use, intrusion, illegal activities or any other violation.



Concrete steps to improve airspace and air traffic management security
EUROCONTROL’s joint efforts to improve airspace and Air Traffic Management (ATM) security are being deployed in three complementary directions:
Improving coordination and communication:
EUROCONTROL has set up improved coordination mechanisms between all stakeholders. The NATO/EUROCONTROL ATM Security Co-ordination Group (NEASCOG) and the EUROCONTROL ATM Security Team (SET) are the only forums in Europe dealing with airspace and ATM security respectively.
Educating and preventing:
Together with its stakeholders EUROCONTROL shares best practices on implementing security measures, develops new concepts and analysis methods, and organises workshops on airspace and ATM security. EUROCONTROL also ensures that security is built into the design of the future European air traffic management system.
Defining roles and responsibilities:
Understandings have been reached on the roles of each of the main organisations in Europe concerned with airspace and ATM security: EUROCONTROL, NATO, the European Commission and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). Not only do they address operational aspects, but they also deal with related policy and regulation. The goal is to improve effectiveness and avoid duplication.


Society and Economics


Quick links
Acrobat Social Responsibility Policy
HTML Click here for detailed information on Agency Society & Economics activities


Setting the scene

In 2004, European air transport carried more than 307 million passengers and 35 billion tons/km of freight and contributed approximately EUR 500 billion, in different ways, to the total European GDP. Air transport makes positive daily contributions to the European way of life, thanks to which we can eat fresh fruit and vegetables all year round, we can travel to far away places, and society is opened up to new businesses. Air transport is also a big employer in Europe, directly or indirectly accounting for roughly 3 million staff.

A key component of the air transport infrastructure is air traffic management (ATM). European ATM activities currently amount to EUR 6.8 billion and directly employ some 50,000 people. In 2004, the air traffic control (ATC) part of ATM controlled almost 9 million flights.

We need to better understand how ATM affects the society and economy we live in. In order to improve the ATM community’s capacity for dialogue and change, we also need to understand how ATM affects the air transport value chain. This is particularly important in the light of the Single European Sky.

EUROCONTROL carries out research into the economic and environmental impact of ATM at the macro-economic level and also assesses the economic impact of specific proposals and programmes at a more detailed level. This work is organised into three main streams of activity:


Research into Society and ATM
Research carried out by the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre seeks to explore the relationships between the demands of society and the aviation industry such that the industry can meet those conflicting demands in a sustainable manner.


Research into the Economics of ATM
EUROCONTROL carries out research into the economic and environmental impact on society of the air transport industry, addressing the public perceptions and expectations of the air transport industry and evaluating the forces driving the evolution of transport demand.


Cost Benefit Analysis
EUROCONTROL carries out cost benefit studies for all of its programmes in order to evaluate their impact on all parties in the air transport industry, aid decision making and to ensure that the programmes represent a sound economic investment for the industry as a whole.


Related links
HTML Click here for information on Society and ATM
HTML Click here for information on Economics and ATM
HTML Click here for information on Cost Benefit Analysis


Increasing Airspace Capacity

European skies welcome over 26,000 flights every day, with peaks up to 33,000 flights on busiest days, thanks to an efficient and safe air traffic management system.



Capacity growth over the years
The capability to meet growing air traffic demands in Europe has improved over recent years thanks to the coordinated efforts of EUROCONTROL, air navigation service providers, and aircraft operators.

Air traffic over Europe is growing at an average rate of 5% every year, and the number of flights over Europe may double in the next 20 years.

At the same time delays caused by Air Traffic Management (ATM) flow have diminished and are close to the optimum established at 1 minute per flight during Summer time.

The challenge faced by the European aviation sector is the following: how to gain additional capacity in a limited airspace while maintaining the highest degree of safety, efficiency, and security?
EUROCONTROL's capacity enhancement function
Watch our second 'Fly' programme on airports and air traffic growth
Watch our fifth 'Fly' programme on civil-military coordination in European aviation


Gaining capacity through a cooperative network approach
To tackle this capacity challenge, EUROCONTROL has planned a two-phased approach.

In the short term: a project called Dynamic Management of the European Airspace Network (DMEAN). Its objective is to increase European ATM network capacity by 10% over the period 2006-2010 in addition to national capacity gains.
Dynamic Management of the European Airspace Network (DMEAN)

EUROCONTROL also counts on its Central Flow Management Unit based in Brussels to make the best possible use of available airspace capacity in Europe. The Central Flow Management Unit achieves this by providing several unique pan-European services which include:
Air traffic flow and capacity management
Flight planning
Data provision and reporting

In the long term: a programme known as the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR). In order to accommodate future air traffic needs, we must rethink the European ATM system. This air traffic management system of the future will be supported by state-of-the-art and innovative technologies.
Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research Programme (SESAR)


The ripple effect of capacity initiatives
EUROCONTROL works in many other fields to achieve sustainable capacity gains, such as:
Improving ATM communications and surveillance
Ensuring optimal airport operations
Developing civil-military coordination and a more flexible use of airspace


Traffic and Delay


Quick links
HTML Click here for detailed information on eCODA
HTML Click here for detailed information on STATFOR
HTML Click here for detailed information on Central Flow Management Unit
HTML Click here for detailed information on Air Navigation Charges


Air Transport Delays

Delays arise from a large number of different causes.

The purpose of the Central Office for Delay Analysis (CODA) within EUROCONTROL is to provide policy makers and managers of the ECAC Air Transport System with timely, consistent and comprehensive information on the air traffic delay situation in Europe, and to make these available to anyone with an interest in delay performance.

The CODA produces regular and ad-hoc Air Transport delay reports, which are available on the eCODA website. Certain reports are also available in hard copy.


Enhanced CODA
In order to achieve this purpose in the most timely and comprehensive manner, an enhanced CODA product (eCODA) has been developed. eCODA aims to provide information on all delay causes, one week after of the end of each calendar month. This is facilitated by the excellent co-operation of aircraft operators who supply eCODA with the necessary data; together with Air Traffic Flow Management data from the EUROCONTROL Central Flow Management Unit, they enable the reports to be produced.

The eCODA system has technical facilities for data providers and other specialist users. These facilities are not available for public access due to the proprietary information contained therein, and are therefore password protected. Password owners may use the sign-in facility on the eCODA home page.





Air Traffic Statistics and Forecasts
Statistics and forecasts are essential to the EUROCONTROL Agency; they allow it to monitor the current state of air traffic management and to anticipate and plan future development needs. The Agency currently publishes statistics on capacity and delay and statistics and forecasts on traffic (described here).

The Agency's main, public air traffic statistics and forecast products cover more than 40 European States and regions. They are:
monthly statistics, e.g. daily counts of domestic flights in Denmark;
an annual forecast that looks 8 years ahead and, in less detail, 20 years ahead, e.g. giving the expected number of overflights of Poland in 2008.

Statistics are analysed to support forecasting and market analysis. Some of these analyses are published, e.g. on the growth of "low-cost" carriers.

EUROCONTROL's central role in flow management and in collecting air navigation charges on behalf of States give the Agency privileged access to flight-by-flight traffic statistics. When combined with data provided directly by States, these sources give EUROCONTROL data on traffic across much of Europe. Other national and international organisations collect air traffic statistics, especially on movements at airports; EUROCONTROL complements these views with its gate-to-gate, air traffic management perspective, that is, putting the data on departures and arrivals together with their routing in between.

The flights covered by these statistics and forecasts are usually those which took place under 'Instrument Flight Rules', because these are the flights which use an air traffic control service. Typically, these include all commercial scheduled and charter flights, business jets and taxi flights, and some state or military flights. They usually do not include light aircraft used for training, leisure flying, surveying and other purposes.

If you need further explanation of the traffic statistics and forecasts that are discussed here, then contact the Agency's Statistics and Forecasts Service, STATFOR. The information in the published statistics and forecasts may be reproduced, with appropriate acknowledgement, free of charge, but the use you put it to is under your own responsibility. STATFOR has very limited resources, so in general can not provide more than is published here. The exception is cases, such as for European Commission research contracts, where the work is clearly in the general interests of the air traffic community.


Related links
HTML Click here for detailed information on eCODA
HTML Click here for detailed information on CODA
HTML Click here to access the STATFOR web site.
HTML Click here to access more information on flow management.
HTML Click here to access more information on collecting air navigation charges.


Reducing the Environmental Impact of Aviation

2% of the world's CO2 emissions: this is aviation’s estimated impact on the environment according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Aviation is faced with conflicting and growing demands: for more mobility on one side, and not just at the European level; and for less environmental impact on the other side.

Besides, aviation is a consumer of non-renewable resources. While we wait for the next revolution in engine technology, we have to act.



What is air traffic management doing to help air transport achieve sustainability?
At EUROCONTROL we have been aware of the importance of mitigating the environmental impact of air traffic for many years. The revised EUROCONTROL Convention signed by our Member States in 1997 mentions in its first article that we should “take into account the need to minimise […] any adverse environmental impact”.
EUROCONTROL environmental activities
Watch our third 'Fly' programme on aviation and its environmental impact

EUROCONTROL adopted its Environmental Policy and Strategy in 2001. It guarantees that all our projects and programmes undertaken an environmental impact assessment in line with European and international best practices.
Acrobat EUROCONTROL Environmental Policy and Strategy

Environmental measures in air traffic management have already reduced CO2 emissions by 2 million tons per year (equivalent to 1% of the total aviation’s emissions in Europe).

This is the result of the very first steps taken by EUROCONTROL:
More direct flights. Experts have estimated that as many as 4.7 million tons of CO2 are released unnecessarily into the atmosphere each year because of extra mileage.
Making it possible for more airplanes to fly at an altitude where jet engine performance is optimal. This improved vertical distribution of air traffic reduces CO2 emissions by almost 1 million tons a year.
Trials have proven that adopting a steady trajectory during descent before landing greatly reduces aircraft emissions, fuel consumption, and noise impact. This has proven more efficient than a level-by-level descent.
Keeping airplanes on the ground with their engines switched off until a departure slot becomes available. This initiative has helped reduce CO2 emissions by 1 million tons in 2006.
More flexibility of civil and military users in their use of airspace through strengthened coordination.


Our contribution to a cleaner European sky
For long EUROCONTROL has been conscious of the need for setting precise objectives also in environment protection. We have therefore endorsed the target of a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2013 proposed by the Single European Sky ATM Research programme.

But EUROCONTROL’s contribution is not only limited to finding innovative solutions to achieve this reduction target. We also stimulate environmental progress in air traffic management by spreading best practices among stakeholders and making sure they take their own part in this vital objective.



Related links
HTML All about aviation's impact on the environment
HTML Aviation Environment Federation

END/MH