Fly Direct: Free Route Airspace Changes in Europe

Introduction

The European airspace is going through a major transformation during the next 4 years as airspace is opened up to Free Routing.

This is creating change for every part of the aviation industry from Eurocontrol, Airlines, ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Provider), Avionics Manufacturers to pilots, planners and dispatchers.

Everyone needs to adapt, prepare systems, ensure safety and then enjoy the opportunity to plan and fly direct flights.

RocketRoute is keeping up with all the changes as they happen. RocketRoute's CEO Uwe Nitsche is currently chairing the Computer Software Flight Planning Group (CSFP) at Eurocontrol and working closely to coordinate how all CSFPs prepare and adapt to the changes.

Right now across Europe, country ANSPs are preparing and are adopting different strategies for FRA. This is creating a ripple effect as systems have to adapt to their requirements.

For example:

• Free Route Aispace available 24 hours a day, above a certain FL.
• Free Route Airspace available during night time or seasonal above a certain FL.
• Enter and Exit Free Route Airspace via FIR Waypoints.
• Enter and Exit Free Route Airspace via any coordinate.
• Include reporting points every 200 nm.
• Report availability in NOTAMs.
• And more differences are arising as more countries adapt.

By being a member of RocketRoute, we aim to give our users the latest updates that become available allowing operators and pilots to fly the most direct routing available - saving time and fuel.

This article provides a summary of the initiatives underway in Europe.

If you are interested to learn more about Free Route Airspace in Europe, please contact our support team support@rocketroute.com.

Try RocketRoute FRA AutoRouter Here

RocketRoute Status

Below is a summary of countries which RocketRoute supports FRA flight planning.

Europe

• Supported
• Portugal
• Hungary
• Sweden
• Ireland

(Note also: USA Supported, Canada Supported).

Situation Today: Summer 2015

Portugal Hungary and parts of Scandinavia are most advanced in Europe and already operate 24 hour FRA (Free Route Airspace). If you Autoroute with RocketRoute you will receive a direct routing for the appropriate Flight Level.

RocketRoute has also removed from our system the upper airways as they simply do not exist and neither are FIR Crossing Waypoints required.

Source: Eurocontrol, Lufthansa April 2015

European Overall Objective of FRA

• Comprehensive cross-border implementation of Free Route Airspace in Europe
• At least above FL310, in the European airspace
• Cross border FRA in FABs included in most FABs roadmaps
• Optimised route structure below FL310
• Ensuring efficient connectivity in/out terminal airspace
• Supporting PBN implementation
• Simplification of RAD
• Optimisation of the European RAD
• Harmonised airspace publications;
• More efficient Flexible Use of Airspace procedures and system support

 Objective for Europe by 2019

Source: Eurocontrol, Lufthansa April 2015

Example Routing Complexity from FRA

Consider LGAV to EDDF.

Source: Lufthansa Systems

Currently The flight plan changes six times in a time-frame of 13 minutes.