A modern and efficient airspace for one to growta sustainable. And the "National Airspace Strategy” developed by Enav e there it is (International Air Transport Association) together with key aviation players including airports, airlines, ENAC, the Italian Air Force and the government. This is a series of initiatives on the modernization of the airspace to ensure continuous evolution of the Italian aeronautical system and contribute to the national economy, as well as to the efficiency of the European and global air transport system.
According to the latest progress report, since its launch in December 2018, the Italian Nas initiative has facilitated the achievement of a number of strategic objectives, despite the pandemic crisis. Between results obtained are:
- The improvement in upper airspace management, replacing the fixed route structure with the concept of "Free Route Airspace", which allows aircraft to follow optimized flight paths without restrictions. Since 2016 the Free Route has made it possible to save around 600 tons of CO2. The flexible use of airspace between civilian and military users has also made progress.
- The redesign of terminal airspace areas, using more precise and flexible routes based on PBN (Performance Based Navigation) specifications. This is being implemented alongside a communications, navigation and surveillance systems strategy that focuses on the transition from traditional radar and radio to satellite technologies.
- Improving runway capacity and airport connectivity. New air traffic management techniques have been introduced to sequence arrivals and departures and achieve greater punctuality. Continuous climb and descent routes have been implemented to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise.
- The evolution of air traffic management systems and tools has been a key catalyst for these improvements. Datalink communications and digitization have improved performance and security levels through high automation and tighter control. These technological advances pave the way for remote tower operations at smaller airports which could allow rationalizing the number of control centers and reducing costs.
Over the next 20 years, according to forecasts, the air traffic will grow by 50% throughout Europe. For this reason, the airspace requires constant modernization to continue to meet demand and integrate new users. Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are expected to become one of the most widespread forms of air traffic. Ensuring that demand for these flights can be met safely and efficiently will require new airspace designs and capabilities.
Operations in the upper airspace will also increase. Furthermore, in line with the Italian government's designation of the space economy as a component of national economic policy, the airport of Taranto Grottaglie has been identified as the first Italian spaceport.
“The importance of air navigation services has expanded beyond safe airspace management: it plays a crucial role in helping to reduce emissions and generate cost savings to enable competitive service for carriers in Italy,” he said Raphael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President for Europe of IATA.
Alessio Quaranta, ENAC director general said: "Both Europe and the world cannot give up aviation but it is our duty to contribute to the reduction of the environmental impact, even if the emissions generated by our sector, compared to the total, are very low" .
“Deploying Free Route well ahead of regulatory requirements and modernizing our infrastructure with innovations in remote and digital towers, cloud services, control center consolidation, satellite and drone technologies represent some examples that have also been incorporated into this joint work,” he added Paolo Simioni managing director of Enav.
