First up this week, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has published for consultation its initial proposals to establish new price controls for NATS En-Route PLC ("NERL"), a subsidiary of NATS Holdings. The controls regulate the prices NERL can charge airlines for the services it provides in UK airspace. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has proposed that NERL can increase the unit rate for its regulated activities over the period 2023 to 2027 inclusive by approximately 27 per cent from £43 to £54 in 2020 prices, or £47 to £65 in nominal terms.
Next, Indra has developed a pioneering project for Lisbon Airport, run by ANA (VINCI Airports), which will provide the Portuguese airport with an unprecedented degree of integration with Eurocontrol by incorporating the Airport Operations Plan (AOP) into the European air navigation Network Operations Plan (NOP). Indra’s solution will facilitate greater flight visibility and predictability, providing the airport and all of its stakeholders with the very best framework for action based on common situational awareness and the early detection of schedule deviations, thus minimizing potential delays, costs and associated emissions.
In other news, The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Civil Aeronautics Administration of Taiwan (CAAT) have signed a bilateral Aviation Safety Working Arrangement. The agreement recognises the acceptance of the production of civil aeronautical products and airworthiness approval. It also allows both organisations to perform the functions of either the importing or exporting authority, such as validating aeronautical products and fulfilling airworthiness obligations.
Finally, air traffic controllers from Norway and Italy recently tested new software in a real-time validation exercise at research institute SINTEF's premises in Oslo. The software aims to help them make better use of the airspace and reduce flight delays. The solution is expected to also reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
ANSP news
- FAB CE traffic to overtake 2019 levels in the next few weeks - For FAB CE ANSPs the last few days of November and the first few days of December 2022 are forecast to mark an important milestone: the first time that 2022 FABCE traffic levels collectively are likely to surpass flight numbers recorded in 2019, with the prospect of them remaining higher thereafter.
- UK Civil Aviation Authority proposes new NATS airline charges - The UK Civil Aviation Authority today published for consultation its initial proposals to establish new price controls for NATS En-Route, a subsidiary of NATS Holdings. The controls regulate the prices NERL can charge airlines for the services it provides in UK airspace.
- Fewer delayed flights during fog due to new LVNL procedure - With the implementation of a new procedure LVNL can achieve safe take-off and landing of more aircraft per hour during reduced or low visibility conditions at Schiphol airport. In such situations, the new procedure uses local visibility conditions to differentiate between capacity on runway 36L on the west side of Schiphol and the other runways at Schiphol Centre.
Airports news
- Indra’s technology provides Lisbon airport with greater integration with Eurocontrol, key to improving air traffic in Europe - Thanks to Indra’s Airport Operations Plan system, it will be the first European airport to exchange information with the European Network Manager on flight departures more than three hours in advance and, for the first time, information on arrivals.
Context information
- Dutch Airspace Redesign Programme moves foward – MovingDot - The Dutch Airspace Redesign Programme was initiated to increase the efficiency of the Dutch airspace for all airspace users, reduce the impact on local communities and the environment, and improve the military mission effectiveness. MovingDot is one of the contributors in the Dutch Airspace Redesign Programme, and is proud of the achievements so far.
- UK Civil Aviation Authority signs arrangement with Civil Aeronautics Administration of Taiwan - The UK CAA and the Civil Aeronautics Administration of Taiwan have signed a bilateral Aviation Safety Working Arrangement. The agreement recognises the acceptance of the production of civil aeronautical products and airworthiness approval.
- 2022 Local Single Sky Implementation+ event - The 2022 LSSIP event jointly hosted by EUROCONTROL and the SESAR DM saw more than 200 participants from 43 States plus European institutions attend and share where each one of the ECAC States and EUROCONTROL Comprehensive Agreement States is in terms of their ATM implementation progress.
Reports and data
- EUROCONTROL Data Snapshot #34 on the rise of Low Cost Carriers in Europe - The 34th Data Snapshot highlights the emergence and growth of low-cost carriers, which is currently holding 32.5% of flights in Europe.
Research and innovation
- SESAR JU - Controllers test dynamic configuration solution to maximise airspace capacity - Air traffic controllers from Norway and Italy recently tested new software in a real-time validation exercise at research institute SINTEF's premises in Oslo. The software aims to help them make better use of the airspace and reduce flight delays. The solution is expected to also reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
- CAAi and the University of Surrey sign research and education MoU - CAA International has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Surrey for joint research and education programmes in civil aviation and air transport management.
- Five more EASA research projects go live - EASA signed contracts for five new research projects, all funded from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. The contracts were concluded following calls for tender and EASA as contract manager will work side by side with the appointed project leaders.
- Predicting the impact of likely regulations at large airports in Europe: EUROCONTROL NM trials the use of AI - EUROCONTROL’s Network Manager Operations Centre uses AI to predict the impact of likely regulations at large airports in Europe
UAV and UTM
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- Vertiports: Are we ready for Advanced Air Mobility in our cities? - To70 - With billions invested in aircraft, and certification looming ever closer, it seems likely that 2024 will see the realisation of Advanced Air Mobility as aircraft manufacturers edge closer and closer to their Entry Into Service milestones. So, with the aircraft a near reality, how is the rest of the industry shaping up to meet the arrival of the aircraft.
- UMILES Next’s eVTOL flies in Spain to test UAM airspace integration concepts - Unmanned airspace - The electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed by UMILES Next, Concept Integrity, equipped with FlyFree technology developed by research partner TECNALIA, took to the skies successfully over Jaén, Spain.
- ENAIRE tests urban air mobility with air taxis, drones and conventional aviation - CANSO - ENAIRE is taking part in the validation of the Uspace4UAM project, which has demonstrations in four countries, with the ATLAS Centre in Villacarrillo, Jaén, hosting the one in Spain.