There will no longer be Air Traffic Service routes (ATS) above 33,500 feet in Italy. Flights will be routed via published entry and exit points using the most direct route, with a possibility of being routed via intermediate way points. This will offer operators significant fuel and CO2 emission savings.
By the end of 2016, 48 ACCs will have partially or fully implemented free route airspace, which exceeds the target of 35 ACCs set by the Network Manager Performance plan. By 2019/2020, additional savings of between 60,000-75,000 NM a day can be expected, with subsequent fuel, environment and cost benefits.
By the end of 2019, most European airspace is expected to have implemented FRA, with all airspace having this type of operations by 2021/2022. This progress is a result of the very close cooperation between the Network Manager, the ANSPs, military partners and airspace users.
ACCs where FRA will be available by the end of 2021.
Cross-border implementation has started and is already applicable or will soon be so in many parts of Europe, namely SAXFRA (Austria/Slovenia), SEENFRA (Romania/Hungary/Bulgaria), SEAFRA (Belgrade/Zagreb ACCs), MALTA/ITALY, NEFRA (Estonia/Latvia/Finland/Sweden/Denmark/Norway).
Europe is the first region in the world to have implemented a full FRA concept, although flight efficiency initiatives do exist in various forms in other parts of the world, such as North America and Australia.