This implementation objective addresses the following three elements:

• Final FRA implementation
• Cross-border FRA implementation
• FRA connectivity with TMAs.

1) The Final FRA implementation shall eliminate the structural limitations that are permissible for Enhanced FRA in terms of timing limitations (night FRA, weekend FRA, seasonal FRA) and lateral and vertical limitations. RAD restrictions should be applied to the minimum extent possible, where unlimited free route airspace operations would endanger airspace capacity (e.g. in high-density, complex airspaces).

2) Cross-border FRA operations provide further benefits of the FRA concept to Airspace Users. Cross-border FRA shall be implemented with at least one neighbouring State. However, it should be considered by the implementing ANSPs, that maximum benefits for airspace users in terms of time, fuel and CO2 emissions savings will be achieved when cross-border FRA is implemented among all neighbouring states from the lowest mutual flight level upwards. For the time being, there are several cross-border FRA implementations, in some cases addressing the airspace controlled by several ANSPs within FAB and between FABs.

3) FRA connectivity with TMAs must be ensured by one of the following options:

• lowering the FRA vertical limit until the TMAs upper vertical boundaries;
• linking appropriate arrival/departures points;
• defining FRA connecting routes;
• extending the existing standard arrival and departure routes;
• connecting with the underlying fixed ATS routes via set of waypoints reflecting the typical climbing/descending profiles

Final FRA implementation, Cross-border FRA with at least one neighbouring State and FRA connectivity with TMAs shall be provided and operated at least above flight level 305.

The system requirements for implementation of the 3 elements of this objective need to encompass the system upgrades listed for Enhanced FRA and additional system upgrades as follows:

NM systems:

• Environmental database adaptations for cross-border FRA operations and FRA connectivity with TMAs;
• Data exchange for cross border FRA and FRA connectivity with TMAs.

AU systems:

• Optimisation of free routing trajectories taking into account the ATM constraints, including possible differences of FRA lower limit implementations throughout the flight.

ANSPs may decide which system improvements are needed in addition to those required for Initial FRA. The choice of the appropriate tool/function remains a stakeholder decision based on operational environment and may include the tools listed for Enhanced FRA plus additional tool/functions, as for example:

• COP management for FRA supporting Cross Border COP handling;
• Tactical Controller Tool (TCT), managing the Cross-Border clearances;
• Multi-Sector Planner/Extended ATC Planner (MSP/EAP) function.

NOTE FOR MILITARY AUTHORITIES: It is the responsibility of each Military Authority to review this Objective IN ITS ENTIRETY and address each of the SLoAs that the Military Authority considers RELEVANT for itself. This has to be done on top and above of the review of "MIL" SLoAs which identify actions EXCLUSIVE to MIL Authorities.

Edition

2022

Stakeholders

Air Navigation Service Provider / Airspace Users / Network Manager

Type

CP1

Scope

ECAC+

Status

Active