UNDER EUROCONTROL'S DIRECTION, FORTY-ONE STATES TODAY LAUNCH THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN EUROPE'S AIRSPACE FOR FIFTY YEARS The Reduced Vertical Separation Programme

BRUSSELS 24. ledna (PROTEXT/ots) - EUROCONTROL, the EuropeanOrganisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, today implementedthe Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) programme, whichwill increase capacity in the airspace of 41 States by providingsix additional flight levels between 29,000 feet and 41,000 feetinclusive, bringing the total to thirteen. This will be achievedby reducing the vertical separation minima between aircraftoperating between these levels from 2000ft to 1000ft, in linewith the standard separation in use under 29,000ft. By reducingthe number of aircraft forced to share a given flight level, thischange will increase safety and, by allowing more aircraft tooperate at their preferred flight levels and routes, will reducedelays and fuel consumption while boosting capacity.The RVSM programme went live at 00:01 UTC today when, fromFinland to Tunisia and from Morocco to Belarus, air trafficcontrollers in 41 States started allocating aircraft to the newflight levels using EUROCONTROL-designed systems and procedures.The simultaneous switchover happened smoothly, and our reports todate indicate that traffic has adjusted to the new standardswithout undue delays.RVSM was investigated for decades and has been in seriouspreparation for European roll-out for the past three years. MrVíctor M. Aguado, EUROCONTROL's Director General, was proud toannounce this biggest change in Europe's airspace in the pastfifty years. "The introduction of RVSM will have huge benefitsfor Europe's airspace users. In-flight delays will be reduced,meaning fewer missed connections and happier passengers. Moreflight levels mean fewer aircraft per flight level, and so fewerinstances of aircraft flying on conflicting routes, increasingsafety. Reduced congestion will also allow more aircraft to flytheir preferred routes, meaning lower fuel use."The average yearly cost benefits for aircraft operators have beenestimated by an independent consultant firm at around 3.9 billioneuro, mostly from delay reductions and fuel savings. The capacityof Europe's upper airspace will rise by up to 20%, helpingairlines and other users meet rising demand more effectively. Thefuel savings are also substantial, leading to significantenvironmental benefits in terms of reduced CO2 and NOx emissions.The RVSM Programme was implemented at the behest of the airtravel industry, following studies showing that reducing verticalseparation minima would be the best way to deal with increasingairspace congestion (European air traffic since 1980 has grown byaround 7% a year). EUROCONTROL's technical expertise and decades-long experience in implementing complex pan-European programmes,even across sensitive political barriers, made it the naturalchoice to design and implement the RVSM programme.Joe Sultana, EUROCONTROL's RVSM Programme Manager, highlightedthe fact that RVSM has been launched on budget and on schedule,despite involving an ever-increasing number of States(EUROCONTROL has 30 Member States, but 41 States agreed to submitto EUROCONTROL's direction in order to gain the benefits ofRVSM). "All necessary air traffic control (ATC) procedures wereready on time. The height-keeping accuracy of over ten thousandaircraft has been checked, and every aircraft using RVSMstandards has been certified. The controllers of 41 countrieshave been trained and are on schedule for implementation.Moreover, the pilots and flight planners of 2,300 operators havebeen trained and prepared".The full benefits of RVSM will be realised gradually, as trafficincreases to its traditional summer peak. Indeed, to ensurecontrollers get used to managing aircraft in an RVSM environment,capacity will only be raised gradually after the introduction ofRVSM, and is expected to reach its estimated target of 120% ofthe pre-RVSM capacity by September 2002 in the upper airspace.Mr Víctor M. Aguado emphasised that "RVSM is a milestone for allstakeholders in the European airspace - airline operators, airtraffic controllers, the military and of course for passengers.The RVSM Programme proves that with leadership and commitment,all partners in the European aviation industry can worksuccessfully together to improve the way Europe runs itsairspace. I am delighted that EUROCONTROL could effectivelymanage such a complex initiative."Note to Editors:EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of AirNavigation, has 30 Member States: Germany, Austria, Belgium,Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, France, Finland,Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The former Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Norway,Netherlands, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Romania,United Kingdom, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey.The Organisation provides unmatched technical insight andexpertise to the European air industry and air operations. Itsprimary objective is to develop a seamless, pan-European airtraffic management (ATM) system that fully copes with theconstant growth in air traffic, while maintaining a high level ofsafety, reducing costs and respecting the environment.For further information, please contact:Directorate General Secretariat/External and Public RelationsTel.: +32 2 729 30 95Fax: +32 2 729 91 98Email christos.petrou@eurocontrol.intEUROCONTROL website: www.eurocontrol.intRVSM Programme OfficeTel +32 2 729 46 28Fax +32 2 729 46 29Email rvsm.office@eurocontrol.intRVSM website: www.eur-rvsm.comEuropeanOrganisation for theSafety ofAir NavigationOrganisationeuropéenne pour la sécurité de lanavigation aérienneRue de la Fusée, 96_- 1130 BruxellesTel: +32.2.729.90.11Fax:+32.2.729.90.44Telex: 21173 EUROC B

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