The 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation is the most important legal basis for the regulation of global air transport. It establishes that flights all over the world must be conducted in a safe, orderly and expeditious manner according to comparable standards. The Convention also led to the creation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a specialised agency of the United Nations.

DFS works as part of the German delegation and contributes its experience to ICAO. Our experts play a key role in shaping the development of procedures, technologies and safety standards within numerous specialist committees.

We are also involved in drafting standards and drawing up guidelines on how air navigation services should be provided. These form the basis for a harmonised and safe air traffic control system worldwide.

www.icao.int

EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, was founded in 1960 with the aim of creating a uniform and efficient air traffic management system in Europe. Today, it acts in the interests of 42 European Member States and the European Commission.

EUROCONTROL's range of tasks has been significantly expanded in recent years. As the Network Manager appointed by the European Commission and the operator of the Maastricht control centre, the organisation acts as a central operational interface in Europe. EUROCONTROL supports the European Commission, EASA and national supervisory authorities, is involved in the SESAR Joint Undertaking and is responsible for the centralised collection of en-route charges in Europe.

EUROCONTROL is an important partner for DFS. In committees and working groups, the parties involved are working to ensure that the European air traffic management network is fit for the future.

www.eurocontrol.int

With traffic volumes on the rise, Europe’s busy airspace places significant demands on all stakeholders. These demands were the underlying motivation behind the European Commission establishing the Single European Sky (SES) programme. The goals of the programme are uniform high safety standards, more airspace capacity and good value for money.

One result of the SES initiative is that Europe's air navigation service providers must meet defined performance targets. The level of air navigation charges is also set.

Another important element is the Single European Sky ATM Research Programme (SESAR). Its aim is to harmonise the various technical air traffic management systems.

The SES programme has also involved the creation of so-called functional airspace blocks. DFS joined the Functional Airspace Block Europe Central (FABEC) and is working with other air navigation service providers to find ways to optimise cross-border flight routes. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Cologne has been responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation within the European Union since 2003. On behalf of the European Commission, it develops binding regulations and monitors their implementation, including for air navigation services.

The regulations that DFS must apply relate to air traffic controller training, air traffic control systems and standardised European operational procedures. This also includes new issues, such as artificial intelligence, unmanned aviation and cyber security.

EASA is advised by expert committees at the association level. CANSO, as the global association for air navigation service providers, is therefore an important facilitating partner for DFS. Our involvement enables us to help shape regulatory developments at an early stage.

www.easa.europa.eu

Single European Sky ATM Research, or SESAR for short, is the European research programme for air navigation services. It develops new ideas and technology to make air transport in Europe more digital, more networked and more environmentally friendly. This also involves integrating new users – such as drones or air taxis – into airspace.

DFS has been involved from the very start. The basis for this is a joint European plan that sets out the path towards more modern processes and new technology. DFS is involved in both research and the subsequent introduction of new solutions. 

SESAR projects with DFS involvement

www.sesarju.eu

This part of the SESAR programme is about research. DFS is involved in several projects. The focus is on three questions:

• More digitalisation 
  How can modern systems and a more powerful data link between air and ground support air traffic even more effectively?
• Fewer emissions
  Which technologies and processes help to reduce emissions in air transport without restricting capacity?
• New airspace users
  How can new airspace users, such as high-altitude drones, be safely integrated into airspace?

These projects are part of the Digital European Sky research programme and are funded by the European Union. 

www.sesarju.eu

The SESAR Deployment Manager ensures that research findings are implemented in practice: It coordinates the Europe-wide synchronised implementation of SESAR solutions. This includes the development of a new, satellite-based navigation infrastructure at DFS. This so-called performance-based navigation enables aircraft to fly more precisely and flexibly. A basic network of ground-based systems ensures that navigation remains safe even in the event of system failure.

www.sesardeploymentmanager.eu

Six countries have joined forces in the Functional Airspace Block Europe, or FABEC for short: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Their aim is to make air traffic in the heart of Europe more efficient, safer and more environmentally friendly.

Many major airports and important flight routes are located in the 1.7 million square kilometres of FABEC airspace. Close coordination is therefore particularly important, including between civil and military uses.

DFS works with its partners in FABEC to progress airspace management, harmonise procedures and implement joint projects. This includes optimising airspace structures close to borders and improving flight planning.

www.fabec.eu 

CANSO, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, is the global association of air navigation service providers. It represents the interests of the industry worldwide and is committed to the safe, efficient and sustainable development of aviation.

As a founding member of CANSO in Europe, DFS contributes its expertise and regularly participates in expert dialogues, panels and working groups. The aim is to draft global standards together with other air navigation service providers, drive innovation and improve the performance of air navigation services worldwide.

www.canso.org

The A6 Alliance is an association of major European air navigation service providers. Together, the partners are committed to making European airspace more modern and efficient.

The alliance brings together organisations that together control over 80 percent of European air traffic and are responsible for around 70 percent of investment in future air traffic management infrastructure. DFS contributes its technical expertise and operational experience to the work of the A6 Alliance.

The Alliance plays an important role in SESAR research work and in the introduction of new technologies as part of SESAR deployment. It also plays an active role in cross-discipline activities, such as the EU ATM Masterplan.

www.a6alliance.net