New French ATM strategy to involve DSNA and IATA

In 2016 DSNA, the French air navigation service provider (ANSP) became the first in Europe to cross the 3 million safely controlled flights per annum barrier. With anticipated growth of 58% over the next two decades, meaning an extra 68 million travelers, DSNA has agreed with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to cooperate on the development of a French Air Traffic Management (ATM) Strategy (FAS).
France will be required to optimize its airspace if it is to service the anticipated growth in demand, reduce costs, CO2 emissions and delays and this can only be done through the optimization of its airspace and modernization of its air traffic management. It has been estimated that economic benefits of such actions could generate an additional €33 billion in annual GDP compared to todays €106 billion supported by air transport. 105,000 extra jobs should also be created.
In the context of its well-established collaborative decision making (CDM) process, DSNA commits to work in full transparency with its airspace customers and other key stakeholders on the FAS, specifically in relation to airspace management, human resources management and technical modernization of ATM systems.
According to IATA Director-General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac: “This partnership marks a defining moment in the relationship between DSNA and its customer airlines, and could signify the start of a change in how Europe’s skies are managed. DSNA have shown real vision to bring airlines into the strategic direction of air navigation service provision. Together, we can help create a plan which will bring great benefits to France. We look forward to working with DSNA to make the French ATM Strategy not only a success for France, but a model for other European ANSPs to follow, so that the work of airspace optimization can bring benefits to all of Europe’s citizens, and the goals of the Single European Sky can be achieved.”
Some of the elements the French ATM Strategy will include: Governance arrangements; strategic investment decisions; business continuity; airspace change for more capacity and more efficient routes, to reduce fuel burn and emissions, and enhanced cooperation with European partners to accelerate the Single European Sky initiative. (€1.00 = US$1.18 at time of publication.)