Predefined Airspace Configuration is a predefined and coordinated organisation of routes and their associated airspace structures, temporary airspace reservations and predefined ATC sectorisation, to meet civil/military airspace users’ needs and increase performance in terms of capacity and/or flight efficiency, applicable both in free route (FRA) and in fixed-route network environments.

Predefined Airspace configurations are activated for a specific geographic area and/or time period at pre-tactical level through a CDM process involving the AMCs, NM, ATFCM, ATC and airspace users. The notification of predefined Airspace Configurations will be based on automatic flows of information between the different stakeholders provided by the Network Manager. The optimal organisation of airspace structures, such as the allocation of temporary airspace reservations, is achieved through the ASM solutions process that aims at delivering options that can fulfil military needs while improving flight efficiency and alleviating capacity problems identified in any specific area within the European airspace.

This collaborative process is based on the partnership between ANSPs, NM, AOs and the military collaborating to make the best decision to satisfy civil and military requirements and improve performance achievements. One of the ASM options is the utilisation of airspace scenarios composed by different predefined airspace configurations.

The Predefined Airspace Scenarios provide a coordinated set of temporary airspace reservations identifying a possible ASM Solution supporting the ASM/ATFCM CDM process. It is managed as a stand-alone scenario or supporting an associated Airspace Configuration.
The identification and the development of predefined airspace configurations and scenarios is executed by relevant actors, at strategic level: the High Level Airspace Policy Body (HLAPB or its equivalent; at national and sub-regional level), with participation of the civil and military airspace users as appropriate, supported by the Network Manager.

The system requirements enabling the implementation of this objective are as follows:

• The Network Manager, as well as local ATM system, shall facilitate an automatic flow of information between the different stakeholders for the identification of optimal predefined Airspace Configurations;
• NM systems shall facilitate the management of predefined airspace scenarios among ATM partners and the notification to AUs/CFSPs of the temporary airspace reservations;
• The Network impact assessment shall be carried out by NM systems before the application of predefined airspace configurations and scenarios;
• The NM systems shall support the predefined airspace configurations in any fixed route or FRA environment;
• ASM/ATFCM systems and ATC systems shall support the full sharing of the airspace configuration inputs and outputs in any fixed route or FRA environment;
• In alternative to local ASM/ATFCM systems and ATC systems, stakeholders may use NM systems and applications (CHMI, CIAM) to support sharing of predefined airspace configuration.
• The ATC system shall support the dynamic configuration of sectors in order to optimize their dimensions and operating hours in accordance with the traffic demands of the NOP.

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 military authorities.

Edition

2022

Stakeholders

Air Navigation Service Provider / Network Manager

Type

CP1

Scope

ECAC+

Status

Active