Air traffic gets out of control

The implementation of IT infrastructure underpinning the European Commission’s Single European Sky (SES) scheme could be hampered because of system integration issues.

Under a set of rules released yesterday (Wednesday), the Commission is pushing governments to agree to air traffic control standards.

Plans to harmonise European air traffic control aim to shrink the network of centres from 35 locations to seven by 2012.

The SES Air Traffic Management Research Programme (Sesar) completed its “master plan” in April. This provides the schedule and work programme for the development and implementation of new technologies needed in European regions.

But implementing joined-up systems will be an issue, said civil aviation expert Philip
Butterworth-Hayes.

“There are huge technology fragmentation challenges, as every country has its own idea of how to manage air traffic, as well as technology standards,” he said.

“A lot of work has been done in Sesar’s definition phase and countries have agreed on how the system should look, but implementing it is a different story.

“By now, countries should have established agreements with their neighbours on implementing the structure supporting common airspace areas, rolling out networks between centres and revamping navigation systems. But very little progress has been made so far, so that is why the Commission had to jump in.”

The European bill for air management systems has already exceeded €2bn (£1.6bn), but governments are expected to continue investing in SES systems.

“Although general specifications have been established, a lack of guidance remains. We do not know if separate pieces of kit being bought at the moment will be compliant with a common European system in 2020,” said Butterworth-Hayes.

However, the latest regulations are expected to put member states under “significant pressure for commitment” and force them to meet performance-based targets based on the standards set out by Sesar, said Jeff Poole, director of industry charges, fuel and taxation at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

“If there is no commitment from governments, we will not see any progress, and all investment in technology will go to waste” he said.