National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) are to commission a study into the issues associated with establishing a functional airspace block, seen as a key step in the development of a Single European Sky.
At a meeting in Dublin this week, the Chief Executives of NATS and the IAA, Paul Barron and Eamonn Brennan, agreed that a study should be conducted by an independent consultant, and involve consultation with all their key stakeholders, to consider the issues involved in establishing a UK/Ireland functional block of airspace. Preliminary findings are expected to be available in 2005.
The announcement comes on the eve of the first phase of work by NATS and the IAA, to provide a radar-based air traffic service from Shannon, into a new area to be known as NOTA - a Northern Oceanic Transition Area, situated to the north west of Ireland.
From January next year, the new NOTA radar service will allow aircraft to make earlier transitions to their optimum cruising levels and allow greater flexibility for alternative routings, climbs and descents. The move has the full support of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the representative association for airlines.
Note to Editors:
The creation of Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs), as provided for by Single European Sky legislation, is seen by European air traffic control providers and airspace regulators alike, as one of the key building blocks for the creation of a Single European Sky. This is an EU initiative aimed at creating a more efficient and harmonised air traffic management system.
For further information, call:
NATS Press Office - 01489 615945
