Air Space Management Procedures in Europe

Airspace is resource with limited capacity, and the way it was organised wasn’t sustainable. Airspace division and route structure evolved from fixed navigational aids and CNS systems. Enhancements made in aircraft and CNS systems enabled aircraft to be less dependent to fix navigational aids and routes, and increased the flexibility allowing aircraft to fly almost directly from point to point. It is in interest of all airspace users to maximise the usage of airspace as it represents scarce resource. The ATM 2000+ Strategy states that “the objective is to provide sufficient capacity to accommodate the demand of all users in an effective and efficient manner at all times, and during typical busy hour periods, without imposing significant operational, economic or environmental penalties under normal circumstances”[1], [2]. The ATM Strategy 2000+ is no longer in force and is replaced by a number of specific Strategic Documents (Airspace Strategy, Air Traffic Flow Capacity Management Strategy, etc.) that are the part of Strategic Guidance in Support of the Execution of the European Master Plan [3]. This paper elaborates the current process within the Flexible Use of Airspace Concept and in the conclusion it provides the future view and direction that Advanced Flexible Use of Airspace Concept would take on.