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EUROCONTROL > ATM Performance > EATM > Airspace > Airspace Organisation & Management > Airspace Design 

Airspace Design
The objective of the Airspace Design activity is to organise and carry out the necessary development and co-ordination of planning and implementation activities for the optimisation of the ATS Route Network and supporting Air Traffic Control (ATC) Sectors in the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) area, in both en-route and terminal airspace. In order to enhance Air Traffic Management (ATM) capacity in line with forecast demand, ATS Route Network and ATC Sector development aims at a dynamic airspace based on multi-option routes and adaptable ATC Sectors within an integrated international airspace structure.

The Network Orientated Development

The Network orientated approach takes an ECAC-wide view and is based upon the need to enhance the overall European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Air Traffic Management (ATM) capacity. The process progresses from broad proposals towards specific solutions via a number of steps.
  • Step 1: Identify current and foreseen problems. The planning work highlights the problem areas and their causes in the airspace structure.

  • Step 2: Build generally improved airspace structure proposals (both route segments and Air Traffic Control (ATC) sectors) to accommodate major traffic flows and balance ATC workload.

  • Step 3: Within this defined framework, detailed proposals of airspace structure are elaborated with their “modus operandi”, consolidated and validated through regional expert groups.

    The result of local studies feeds back into the initial proposals in a dialectical and iterative process.

  • Step 4: A phased implementation programme is agreed and carried out.
Although each successive Version of the ATS Routes and ATC Sectors is developed and implemented as a package, it is inevitable that there is some overlap between them. Also, it is not essential for a Version to be fully developed and finalised before implementation. Once elements of a Version are mature and agreed, they are implemented in phases in parallel with the overall development period.

More information

Use the links below to access more detailed information relating to Airspace Design scope and objectives.
  HTML Current and Future Principles and Criteria
  HTML European Airspace Plan
  HTML Deliverables
  HTML Demand Data Repository (DDR)
  HTML Relationship between Airspace Design and Airspace Management / Air Traffic Flow & Capacity Management (ATFCM)
  HTML Safeguarding Military Requirements
  HTML Regulatory Framework

The Role of Airspace and Navigation Team (ANT) and Route Network Development Sub-Group (RNDSG)

Under the auspices of the ANT, the RNDSG is the practical focal point for airspace development and agreement on structure and implementation within the ECAC area. Its work is supplemented by a number of other planning activities which, depending on their nature or complexity, may be directly under the auspices of the RNDSG or be self-regulating but co-ordinated with the RNDSG.
  HTML Read more on RNDSG scope and objectives
Mr Razvan Bucuroiu
Manager - Capacity Enhancement Function (CEF) & Network Cost Effectiveness
Email: 
 
  Last validation: 27/08/2009