Disruptions
Actions for airports in Europe in case of bad weather
The Network Operations Centre in Brussels plays a key role in monitoring the impact of bad weather on aviation and closely coordinating the response and measures needed to address a potential problem.
Should a major or prolonged disruption occur the measures described below will be complemented by the full and immediate activation of the Network Crisis Procedures.
The European Aviation Crisis Coordination Cell (EACCC) will be convened to monitor the overall situation, ensure that agreed procedures are being implemented, and ensure that any additional necessary measures and proposals are agreed and acted upon.
Activating the communication chain
- Each airport authority and associated air navigation services provider is requested to immediately advise the Network Manager of any expected disruption due to bad weather.
- EUROCONTROL Network Operations constantly monitors the forecast and actual weather situation throughout Europe and proactively contacts any airport where weather forecasts indicate a possible disruption.
- In the event of any anticipated or actual local disruption at a major airport or any short term disruption affecting several airports a first phase of Network Disruption procedures will be immediately activated.
- Teleconferences and other collaborative processes bringing airports, airlines, air navigation service providers, weather experts and EUROCONTROL personnel will be regularly called to monitor and assess the situation, plan and implement measures at network level, inform all users of the situation, etc.
- The Network Operations portal (NOP) will be updated 24 hours a day so that airspace users are kept fully aware of the situation globally and for individual flights.
- EUROCONTROL Operations management and public relations personnel are at all times on standby.
- An airline crisis coordination unit (staffed by representatives of the airline associations) can be immediately activated
- EACCC members will be immediately advised if there is any risk of a prolonged disruption of the European air transport network.
Using the right procedure at the right time
A comprehensive set of operational measures are ready for immediate deployment including:
- planning of diversions to airports that are still operating normally,
- ground stopping departures to the affected airports,
- avoiding any airspace congestion in the European network,
- planning and implementing orderly recovery measures, etc.
Avoiding communication breakdowns
The Network Operations Centre in Brussels reviews and updates the measures in place as the weather evolves.
Contacts with the main airports that could impact the network significantly are maintained to share detailed information on the local situation and the level of preparation (note: local weather situation might differ from forecast).
As the updates on changes at local level are confirmed (e.g. snowfall started), the information is immediately reported back to Brussels where in turn the respective FMPs are put in the loop.
