The Functional Airspace Block Europe Central (FABEC) intends to increase efficiency in the airspace in central Europe, one of the busiest and most complex in the world. It covers the area of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. FABEC is based on the Single European Sky (SES) initiative of the European Commission. The SES restructures the airspace in functional airspace blocks (FABs) that provide European airspace users with a flexible air navigation service network which meets their needs, independently of national borders.
The members of FABEC are the national service providers Belgocontrol, DSNA, DFS, ANA Luxemburg, LVNL and skyguide. Also affiliated is the Eurocontrol center in Maastricht. The British NATS is a co-operative partner.
The FABEC implementation phase began in November 2008 with the signing of a declaration of intent by the representatives of the ministries of transport and defense, as well a cooperation agreement of the air navigation service providers. An important milestone occured in December 2010 with the signing of a states agreement, which forms the legal basis for FABEC at states level. The FABEC States Agreement is scheduled to take effect in 2012.
Skyguide is well-represented within FABEC’s leadership. CEO Daniel Weder serves as chairman of the ANSP strategic board, the highest body of the air navigation service providers.
For each FAB, a series of binding performance indicators defines parameters for safety, flight and cost efficiency, environment, capacity, and military mission effectiveness. Even before the first reporting period, the FABEC has already delivered tangible results: Night network and city pairs, two achievements with which skyguide is actively involved, provide shorter flight routes.
