Tools available in times of crisis
The Network Operations Portal (NOP) is designed for ATM professionals providing real time info on air traffic operations.
Journalists and the general public can also consult the portal for info on delays and number of flights taking place in real time.
Network Operations Portal (NOP)
The NOP serves two main purposes: the monitoring of the real time status of traffic, airspace and air traffic flow and capacity management measures and the planning of pan-European operations on a collaborative way from the strategic to the tactical phases, hence optimising the use of available ATM capacity.
The NOP enables partners to anticipate or react more efficiently to any event. It provides a means for all actors, civil and military, to increase their respective knowledge of the situation from the strategic phase to real-time operations.
- Access to public NOP Portal
- Access to protected NOP Portal
Weather Assessment
The weather assessment is a functionality embedded in the NOP. It supports Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airspace users in anticipating, identifying, monitoring and planning for potential severe weather events that may impact ATM capacity.
It further contains a Network Weather Outlook for the ECAC area, and Severe Weather alerts to which FMPs are to respond by conducting local assessments & mitigation actions if appropriate. FMPs communicate their assessment to the Network Manager.
A severe weather event is: A storm, wind 25kts+, CBs with embedded lightning, snow & ice at airfields, which may lead to an ATM capacity reduction of 10%+ or severe en-route traffic handling issues.
For more information, contact the Aircraft Operators Liaison Officers (AOLOs).
Alitalia: “All our best congratulations for this useful application tool. Really appreciated.”
Monarch Airlines: “The new WSi information on the NOP is very good in providing an overview of the weather conditions across Europe – Excellent!”
Digital SNOWTAM
The Digital SNOWTAM provides an accurate and easy to understand information about the status of the runway contamination with snow and ice, in winter operating conditions. The use of the AIXM 5.1 Surface Contamination model provides a user-friendly visualisation of how airports in Europe are being affected by snow.
The Digital SNOWTAM combines information from various sources into a consolidated image.
- The basic source surface contamination data come from the SNOWTAM messages stored in the EAD NOTAM (INO) database;
- The airport, runway, taxiway, apron and stand/gate information stored in EAD’s static database (SDO) provides the information required to support the digital SNOWTAM encoding;
- Airport Mapping Databases (AMDB) - when they exist - provide a more advanced and accurate data for the airport layout which helps the encoding and visualization of the data;
- Maps are provided by GoogleEarth and GoogleMaps for a dynamic ‘show ice’ contamination information;
- Access to more detailed textual and graphical information about the airport surfaces is available in the form of an Airport Map.
WHAT IS AIXM 5.1?
The AIXM 5.1 Surface Contamination model was developed based on the minimal requirements of the SNOWTAM format, augmented with items that allow a precise geographical depiction of the status of contamination of the airport movement area.
WHO TO GET ACCESS
The digital SNOWTAM Pilot Application is free of charge to any airline operational centers and other airspace users. It is available through the European AIS Database (EAD) operational platform.
For more information, go to the Digital SNOWTAM webpage or send an email to the AIM office.
Teleconferences
The e-teleconferences are embedded in the NOP.They take place daily at 16.00 Brussels local time, to plan for the next day (weather, traffic, bottlenecks, strikes, North Atlantic traffic, more ).
Flow Management Positions (FMP) and Aircraft Operators and other people involved, are invited via an Aeronautical Information Message (AIM) or via a Headline News on the Network Operations Portal to join a Tactical Briefing addressing a problem as it develops.
Each conference is recorded and can be listened to immediately after the meeting.
To participe to the e-teleconferences or access to recordings, register on the Network Operations Portal (NOP).
E-Helpdesk
The E-Helpdesk is an online support tool, embedded in the NOP. It aims to reducing the time needed to respond to airspace users' requests and making it easier to share information with all users in real-time.
Related documents
- Network Manager Implementing Rule EU 677/2011 (pdf) dated 7 July 2011, lays down detailed rules for the implementation of ATM network functions
- ATFM Implementing Rule EU 255/2010 (pdf) dated 25 March 2010, lays down common rules on Air Traffic Flow Management.
- ATFCM User Manual Edition 15.0 (pdf) dated 15 March 2011. This user manual provides an operational description of the CFMU (now called the Network Operations Centre) ATFCM procedures and the related actions and information.
