eATM Portal

AOM21.2 — Initial Free Route Airspace

Free Route is an operational concept that enables airspace users to fly as close as possible to what they consider their optimal trajectory without the constraints of a fixed route network structure. Free Route Airspace (FRA) is a specified airspace within which users may freely plan a route between a defined FRA entry point and defined FRA exit point, with the possibility to route via intermediate (published or unpublished) waypoints, without reference to the ATS route network, subject to airspace availability. Within this airspace, flights remain subject to air traffic control.

The Initial FRA implementation may be achieved with some limitations, for example:

- laterally and vertically;
- during specific time periods;

The Initial FRA deployment shall be based on the following system improvements:

For NM systems:

• FPL processing and checking
• Dynamic rerouting
• Calculation and management of traffic load
• IFPS routing proposal
• Specific ASM improvements for FRA
• Network impact assessment for FRA
• CACD adaptations for FRA Initial deployment

For AU systems:

• FPL route planning for a complete flight taking into account the differences of limitations (e.g. in terms of opening time and/or flight level constraints) throughout the entire flight
• Long DCT with or without calculated intermediate points
• Capability to take into account different constraint e.g.: ATS, FRA, RAD, scenarios, FL constraints on part of the route only, etc
• FPL route planning for a complete flight taking into account the differences of implementations (FRA with or without partial implementation) throughout the entire flight.

ANSPs may decide which system improvements are needed for Initial FRA. The list below addresses the potential improvement to ATC systems. The choice of the appropriate tool/function to achieve Initial FRA remains a stakeholder decision based on the operational environment and may include any of the following tool/functions as follows:

• FDPS supporting the airspace structure and managing trajectories according to the flight plan;
• CWP and HMI supporting appropriate display and functions as required by operational needs;
• FDPS to calculate ground 4D trajectories within AoI and editing function for 4D trajectories including Cross AoR Points (Coordination Point COP management);
• ASM/ATFCM for FRA management;
• MTCD (detecting conflicts between A/C and A/C, and between A/C and airspace);
• CORA (conflict probe and passive conflict resolution advisor);
• MONA (conformance monitoring aids);
• ATC clearances beyond AoR;
• ATC to ATC Flight Data Exchange (OLDI and/or SYSCO);
• Dynamic sectorisation and constraint management;
• Dynamic Area Proximity Warning (APW) –Integrated with ASM tools;
• Provision/integration of FPL and real-time data related to the FRA traffic to the Military ATS units and or air defence organisations;
• Conflict Detection Tools which include the Tactical Controller Tool (TCT), using the tactical trajectory and managing the clearances along that trajectory.

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

Applicability Area(s) and Timescales

Applicability Area 1:
All EU SES States
(All EU SES States)
Applicability Area 2:
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom
(All ECAC+ States except AZ, BE, LU, IL, and NL)
Timescales From By Applicable to
Initial operational capability 01-01-2015 - Applicability Area 1 + Applicability Area 2
Full Operational Capability / Target Date - 31-12-2022 Applicability Area 1 + Applicability Area 2

Links to PCP ATM Sub-Functionalities

References

Applicable legislation
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/116 of 1 February 2021 on the establishment of the Common Project One supporting the implementation of the European Air Traffic Management Master Plan provided for in Regulation (EC) No 550/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 409/2013 and repealing Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 716/2014 ct
Applicable ICAO Annexes and other references
Annex 11, Doc 4444
Deployment Programme 2022
Family 3.2.1 - Initial FRA
Operating Environments
Terminal Airspace
En-Route
Network

Expected Performance Benefits

Safety
Although the main benefits impact the environment, FRA implementation has the ambition to at least maintain the current level of safety.
Capacity
Increased capacity through better airspace utilisation to and reduced controller workload.
Operational efficiency
Savings in route distances and fuel efficiency through increased use of preferred flight profiles.
Cost efficiency
-
Environment
Reductions in emissions through use of optimal routes.
Security
-
  Code Title From By Related Enablers
 
ASP01 Implement Initial FRA procedures and processes in support of the network dimension
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
ASP02 Implement Initial FRA system improvements
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
ASP03 Implement Initial FRA procedures and processes in support of the local dimension
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
ASP04 Safety Assessment
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
ASP05 Training
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
ASP06 Operational use
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
USE01 Implement Initial FRA system improvements
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
USE02 Implement Initial FRA procedures and processes
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
USE03 Training
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
USE04 Operational use
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
NM01 Implement Initial FRA system improvements
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
NM02 Implement Initial FRA procedures and processes
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
NM03 Safety Assessment
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
NM04 Training
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
 
NM05 Operational use
  • 01-01-2015
  • 31-12-2022
Code Dates
 
1999 99
2000 00
2001 01
2002 02
2003 03
2004 04
2005 05
2006 06
2007 07
2008 08
2009 09
2010 10
2011 11
2012 12
2013 13
2014 14
2015 15
2016 16
2017 17
2018 18
2019 19
2020 20
2021 21
2022 22
2023 23
2024 24
2025 25
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOM21.2
 
20150101_20221231
ASP01
 
88%
20150101_20221231
ASP02
 
85%
20150101_20221231
ASP03
 
87%
20150101_20221231
ASP04
 
88%
20150101_20221231
ASP05
 
86%
20150101_20221231
ASP06
 
82%
20150101_20221231
USE01
 
20150101_20221231
USE02
 
20150101_20221231
USE03
 
20150101_20221231
USE04
 
20150101_20221231
NM01
 
20150101_20221231
NM02
 
20150101_20221231
NM03
 
20150101_20221231
NM04
 
20150101_20221231
NM05
 
20150101_20221231

Supporting Material

Title Related SLoAs

EUROCONTROL - European Route Network Improvement Plan (ERNIP) Part 1 - European Airspace Design Methodology - Guidelines - 2.0 / 12/2018

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/european-route-network-improvement-plan-ernip-part-1

ASP01, ASP03, ASP04, ASP05, ASP06, NM01, NM02, USE02, USE04

EUROCONTROL - European Route Network Improvement Plan (ERNIP) Part 2 - European ATS Route Network - Version 2019-2024 - June 2019 / 07/2019

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/european-route-network-improvement-plan-ernip-part-2

NM02

EUROCONTROL - European Route Network Improvement Plan (ERNIP) Part 3 - Airspace Management Handbook - Guidelines for Airspace Management - 5.5 / 11/2017

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/european-route-network-improvement-plan-ernip-part-3

NM02

EUROCONTROL - GUID-161 - EUROCONTROL Guidelines for Area Proximity Warning - Part I to III - Edition 1.0 / 01/2017

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/eurocontrol-guidelines-area-proximity-warning

ASP02

EUROCONTROL - GUID-176 - EUROCONTROL Guidelines for On-Line Data Interchange (OLDI) - Edition 1.1 / 07/2020

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/eurocontrol-guidelines-line-data-interchange-oldi

ASP02

EUROCONTROL - SPEC-106 - EUROCONTROL Specification for On-Line Data Interchange (OLDI) - Edition 5.0 / 07/2020

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/eurocontrol-specification-line-data-interchange-oldi

ASP02

EUROCONTROL - SPEC-139 - EUROCONTROL Specification for Medium-Term Conflict Detection - Edition 2.0 / 03/2017

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/eurocontrol-specification-medium-term-conflict-detection-mtcd

ASP02

EUROCONTROL - SPEC-142 - EUROCONTROL Specification for Monitoring Aids - Edition 2.0 / 03/2017

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/eurocontrol-specification-monitoring-aids-mona

ASP02

Consultation & Approval

Working Arrangement in charge
NETOPS
Outline description approved in
03/2013
Latest objective review at expert level
05/2013
Commitment Decision Body
Provisional Council (PC)
Objective approved/endorsed in
07/2013
Latest change to objective approved/endorsed in
07/2014