Safe air traffic services

Towards a common European airspace

“I am definitely relieved,” says deputy director Matts-Anders Nyberg of the Air Navigation Department.

On 20 December, the Ministry of Transport and Communications designated Finavia as the provider of air traffic services in Finland. The application process preceding the designation kept the ten-member project group led by Mr. Nyberg busy all year.

The designation means in practice that Finavia is responsible for air traffic control and other air navigation services within almost the entire Finnish flight information region. The exceptions are the small aerodromes in Sodankylä, Seinäjoki and Mikkeli, which take care of their own air navigation during their opening hours in the airspace that is their responsibility.

A licence was the requirement for receiving the designation, which the Civil Aviation Authority granted Finavia on the same day.

“According to EU regulations, every organisation providing air navigation services must apply for a licence from their own national authorities,” explains Mr Nyberg.

“Finavia naturally applied for the licence from the Civil Aviation Authority which started its operations at the beginning of 2006. In fact, the creation of the new aviation authority was a basic requirement in terms of being able to apply for a licence.” Before granting the licence, the Civil Aviation Authority had examined the application Finavia submitted in June together with its appendices and requested further clarifications and had audited the operations at Finavia relating to the application. The permit requirement stipulated by the EU concerned all the areas of the air navigation service: air traffic services (air traffic control), communication, air navigation and surveillance services, aeronautical information services and the meteorological service.

“One of the biggest challenges was the reform to the safety and quality management system and its introduction across the group as part of the licence process.”

The Civil Aviation Authority as the auditing authority and Finavia as the provider of the service considered the requirements set by the EU from their own perspectives. However, a common interpretation was agreed on for all the requirements. During the year under review, the practical operating methods and guidelines required by the permit were put into practical use in the different air navigation units.

“The whole issue concerning the air navigation service licence is a continual process,” says Mr. Nyberg.

“Only by regularly developing and auditing our operations can we ensure that the validity of the licence will continue.”

Provisions on air traff c services are provided in the EU regulation on a Single European Sky. The aim of the regulation is to increase safety, reduce delays and reduce the costs incurred by air navigation services within Europe’s airspace.