14.02.2012

Harmonisation of the NEFAB continues, Finavia actively involved

The harmonisation of the NEFAB (North European Functional Airspace Block) is progressing as planned. In addition to Finland, the block includes Norway, Estonia and Latvia. Finavia actively contributes to establishing the block as it enables the cost efficiency of air navigation services to be developed, and the reduction of air traffic's environmental impact.

"We are heading to the implementation of the NEFAB in December 2012. The member states and partners are now taking the process forward and I am confident that we will write a new chapter in the history of North European aviation at the end of the year. As a result of the cooperation, air traffic will be more effective, safety will improve and this will benefit the environment," says Gerli Rebane, Head of State Level Group in the NEFAB.

The Single European Sky (SES) programme is in progress in the EU for developing the use of airspace in Member States. An airspace with uniform air navigation services is to be created in Europe, consisting of nine Functional Airspace Blocks, (FABs). Each state must belong to one of the FABs by December 2012.

The Functional Airspace Blocks allow air navigation services to be provided that better take into account the needs of air traffic. The flight routes are optimised within each block, which saves fuel and reduces emissions. According to study results, the theoretical benefits of the NEFAB are expected to be at least €340 million in 2012-2015. More effective air traffic will result in lower consumption of fuel, and therefore also to less carbon dioxide emissions.

"The harmonisation of the functional airspace blocks is a concrete way of improving the smoothness and cost-efficiency of the entire air traffic service chain. Ultimately, this benefits airlines and air passengers. Finavia is happy that the establishment of the NEFAB is progressing as planned, and that there is good cooperation between the service providers in the countries involved," says Raine Luojus, Director of Operations, Finavia's Air Navigation Department.

Finavia takes care of 25 airports in Finland and of a nationwide air navigation system. With its air traffic services, Finavia creates preconditions for smooth and cost-effective flight connections.

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