EUROCONTROL Seasonal Rolling Network Operations Plan

Since early May, EUROCONTROL have been publishing a regular Network Recovery Plan. This has now been superseded by a weekly Rolling Seasonal Network Operations Plan containing the traffic outlook and the capacity plans for European area control centres (ACCs) and major airports for the forthcoming 6-week period.

The latest Seasonal NOP (covering the period 23 November 2020 to 3 January 2021) is available on the ERA COVID-19 webpage and also through the Network Manager NOP Portal.

The key points can be found below.

Traffic outlook – Further decrease is expected in November as a result of the current air travel conditions connected to the lockdown situation in many countries. The weekly average number of flights is expected to be around 9500 flights the last week of November (between 35-40 per cent of the traffic in 2019). For the first half of December the weekly average number of flights is expected to be around 10,500 flights and around 13,500 flights for the second half of December (approximately 50-55 per cent of traffic in 2019). This traffic outlook is highly dependent on the evolution of state restrictions and on the subsequent update of the airline schedules.

En-route capacity outlook – While no major en-route capacity issues are expected in the network, the planned and maximum sector configurations need to be revised upwards for Paris ACC (19 December 2020 to 3 January 2021) and Zurich ACC (1 January 2021). For the other ACCs, more sectors might need to be open flexibly during peak hours or opening hours should be extended, and some ANSPs should plan to open their currently indicated maximum sector opening schemes. It is strongly recommended to foresee a 10 per cent buffer in the expected traffic demand to avoid sudden capacity issues. In addition, the expected traffic increase in December should be considered in the planning of sector openings.

Airport outlook – Reported European airport capacity is sufficient for current needs and airports indicate they will respond to increased demand as required; average reported airport capacity is increasing in week of 21 December. Airports continue to implement cost efficiency measures, reducing activities, putting unneeded infrastructure on standby or using the downtime for maintenance work. Airports are requested to continue to update the Airport Corner to facilitate Network, Airline and Airport planning.

Green aviation measures – NM, together with the operational stakeholders, relaxed up to 1,200 route availability document (RAD) measures. This generated distance flown savings amounting to 26,000 NM per day. The RAD relaxation will continue until April 2021 and the suspension of additional RAD restrictions in support of improved flight planning options for the airspace users will be envisaged.

Please contact nick.rhodes@eraa.org in case of further questions.