FABEC


DFS IN EUROPE	SINGLE EUROPEAN SKY	FABEC	SESAR	PARTNERSHIPS

FABEC in actionFABEC in numbersFABEC partnersFABEC milestonesFABEC and SESFABs in Europe

Functional Airspace Block Europe Central (FABEC)

Today the airspace over Europe resembles a patchwork rug. Thirty-six air navigation services organisations control this airspace, with each organisation using different technology and different flight procedures. Instead of flying on a direct route, pilots often have to fly along routes that are based on national borders, resulting in cumbersome procedures and high costs.

But this structure is increasingly reaching its limit. If fundamental changes are not made, the traffic growth expected alone in FABEC airspace by 2018 – namely eight million flights per year – will lead to massive delays, inefficient routings, unnecessary pollution and higher costs. Germany with its busy airspace and the adjacent States will be particularly hard hit.

So we have no time to lose. DFS along with its civil and military partners from Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland have joined forces with the transport and defence ministries to launch an initiative to create a functional airspace block in the heart of Europe, known as FABEC. A FAB is a segment of airspace extending over several countries, with the States maintaining their national sovereignty. These blocks will no longer be organised according to national borders – as is the case today. Technology and flight procedures will also be adapted accordingly. The goal is to continue to handle air traffic in the future in a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly manner – while cutting costs. Airspace users will benefit, Germany's position as a location for business and trade will be promoted and a balance will be created between environmental impact and mobility.

In a Feasibility Study, DFS and its partners showed that FABEC would significantly improve air traffic control in the heart of Europe. Concluded in summer 2008, this study showed that FABEC would enable 50 percent more traffic to be handled, while maintaining today's high safety level. Delays could be avoided and emissions reduced. A cost-benefit analysis predicted that airspace users in 2025 could cut costs by a total of seven billion euro.


08/07/2010	PRINT

MORE ABOUT FABEC
Would you like to learn more about the FABEC initiative? The official website contains details about the Feasibility Study, the partner organisations and a list of contacts.

FABEC WEBSITE