The development and implementation of Free Route Airspace (FRA) was initiated in 2008 to foster the implementation of shorter routes and more efficient use of the European airspace. Free Route Airspace is defined as that airspace within which users may freely plan a route between any defined entry and exit point, subject to airspace availability. Direct routing (DCT) is a precursor to Free Route Airspace, where direct routing is only allowed between certain entry and exit point combinations.
Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) have implemented the Free Route Airspace Operations above FL 245 within the part of Germany that is controlled by DFS and lies within the vertical limits described below, i.e. within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) of Karlsruhe UAC (EDUU) and the respective parts of the AoRs of Bremen ACC (EDWW) and München ACC (EDMM). This whole area is called DFS FRA.
The implementation of FRA Operations is in accordance with EU Implementation Regulation 716/2014 (“Pilot Common Project”).
EDUU NORTH (above FL 285) and EDUU EAST (above FL 315) are the only 24/7 free route airspaces; due to the complexity of the other airspaces, the rest offers the free route planning only in the night hours (23:30 to 05:00 local time). Here, FRA H24 will be introduced at the end of 2019.
We keep up with all new regulations and already implemented this in our FlightPlan system. Now preparing a route in RocketRoute (either in night-time hours or 24/7 in corresponding FRAs), you will see DCT segments over the Germany airspace. They will start in the published Entry/Exit points and finish in the Exit points of the corresponding airspaces. The charts with published Entry/Exit, Intermediate, Arrival/Departure points you can find here:
For more details about FRA in Europe you may want to check Eurocontrol’s page.
If you have any questions, related to preparing a route within the free route airspace of Germany, please, contact our Operations Team at ops@rocketroute.com.
