An agreement has been signed which could pave the way towards a unified European air traffic control airspace to cut delays and costs to airlines.
The Single European Sky will reform the European air traffic management architecture so that aircraft can pass through it more quickly, reducing cost, delays and fuel consumption.
The memorandum of understanding has been signed by controller organisations, including NATS in the UK to look at boosting the improvements of combined airspace.
Each country in Europe currently controls its own airspace with different, pre-determined routes across the countries. This means that aircraft can find themselves having to zig-zag across Europe to avoid military airspace, for example. In some cases they burn around 10% more fuel than they need to.
The European Union estimates that air traffic could double by 2020, requiring increased capacity in the air and on the ground with heightened safety rules in place to ensure traffic can grow accordingly.
Linking technology and systems across Europe and ultimately globally through system-wide connectivity will mean that complex air navigation will be easier to manage.
Tim Hardy, airside director at airports operator BAA, said: “With aviation playing such a critical role in supporting international economic growth, it is vital we do everything we can to improve operational efficiency, improve punctuality and reduce both costs and carbon emissions.
“Modernising Europe’s airspace so aircraft can fly more direct routes using less fuel makes perfect sense and we are delighted that it is moving one step to becoming reality.”