European Network Operations Plan 2021 Rolling Seasonal Plan Edition 14 12 February 2021 FOUNDING MEMBER NETWORK SUPPORTING EUROPEAN AVIATION MANAGER EUROCONTROL Network Management Directorate DOCUMENT CONTROL Document Title European Network Operations Plan Document Subtitle Rolling Seasonal Plan Document Reference Edition Number 14 Edition Validity Date 12-02-2021 Classification Green Status Released Issue Razvan Bucuroiu (NMD/ACD) Author(s) Stéphanie Vincent (NMD/ACD/OPL) Razvan Bucuroiu (NMD/ACD) Contact Person(s) Stéphanie Vincent (NMD/ACD/OPL) Edition Number: 14 Edition Validity Date: 12-02-2021 Classification: Green Page: i Page Validity Date: 12-02-2021 EUROCONTROL Network Management Directorate EDITION HISTORY Edition No. Validity Date Reason Sections Affected 0 12/10/2020 Mock-up version All 1 23/10/2020 Outlook period 26/10/20-06/12/20 As per checklist 2 30/10/2020 Outlook period 02/11/20-13/12/20 As per checklist 3 06/11/2020 Outlook period 09/11/20-20/12/20 As per checklist 4 13/11/2020 Outlook period 16/11/20-27/12/20 As per checklist 5 20/11/2020 Outlook period 23/11/20-03/01/21 As per checklist 6 27/11/2020 Outlook period 30/11/20-10/01/21 As per checklist 7 04/12/2020 Outlook period 07/12/20-17/01/21 As per checklist 8 11/12/2020 Outlook period 14/12/20-24/01/21 As per checklist 9 18/12/2020 Outlook period 21/12/20-31/01/21 As per checklist 10 15/01/2021 Outlook period 18/01/21-28/02/21 As per checklist 11 22/01/2021 Outlook period 25/01/21-07/03/21 As per checklist 12 29/01/2021 Outlook period 01/02/21-14/03/21 As per checklist 13 05/02/2021 Outlook period 08/02/21-21/03/21 As per checklist 14 12/02/2021 Outlook period 15/02/21-27/03/21 As per checklist Edition Number: 14 Edition Validity Date: 12-02-2021 Classification: Green Page: ii Page Validity Date: 12-02-2021 EUROCONTROL Network Management Directorate CHECKLIST Section Date Section Date Chapter 1 12/10/2020 Chapter 7 12/02/2021 1.1 12/10/2020 7.1 12/10/2020 1.2 12/10/2020 7.2 12/02/2021 1.3 12/10/2020 7.3 12/02/2021 Chapter 2 12/10/2020 7.4 12/02/2021 2.1 12/10/2020 7.5 12/02/2021 2.2 12/10/2020 Chapter 8 11/03/2020 2.3 12/10/2020 8.1 11/03/2020 2.4 12/10/2020 Chapter 9 12/02/2021 2.5 12/10/2020 9.1 12/02/2021 2.6 12/10/2020 9.2 12/02/2021 2.7 12/10/2020 Chapter 10 12/02/2021 Chapter 3 12/10/2020 10.1 12/02/2021 3.1 12/10/2020 10.2 12/02/2021 3.2 12/10/2020 10.3 12/02/2021 3.3 12/10/2020 Chapter 11 12/02/2021 Chapter 4 12/02/2021 Annex 1 12/02/2021 4.1 12/02/2021 Annex 2 12/02/2021 4.2 12/02/2021 4.3 12/10/2020 Chapter 5 12/10/2020 Chapter 6 12/02/2021 6.1 12/02/2021 6.2 12/02/2021 6.3 12/10/2020 6.4 12/10/2020 6.5 12/10/2020 Edition Number: 14 Edition Validity Date: 12-02-2021 Classification: Green Page: iii Page Validity Date: 12-02-2021 EUROCONTROL Network Management Directorate EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The European Network Operations Plan (NOP) – Rolling Seasonal Plan is a special version of the NOP focusing on the planning of the next six weeks and in managing the execution and implementation of the 5-years NOP. It provides for a consolidated European network view of the evolution of the air traffic and facilitates the planning of the service by ANSPs and airports to match expected traffic demand in a safe, efficient and coordinated manner. The European NOP Rolling Seasonal Plan is developed by EUROCONTROL NM in cooperation with the operational stakeholders ensuring a rolling outlook of initially six weeks, published on the NM Network Operations Portal and initially updated weekly. Outlook 15 February – 27 March 2021 Traffic outlook – For the second half of February, the weekly average number of flights is expected to be around 9500 flights (around 35% of the traffic in 2019) with peak days around 11000 flights. In March, a potential for an increase is foreseen with the weekly average number around 11000 flights (around 40% of the traffic in 2019) and reaching on some peak days 13500 flights. This traffic outlook is highly dependent on the evolution of State restrictions and on the subsequent update of the airline schedules. The 28th of March 2021 (last Sunday) is not included in the outlook – the flight intentions and airport slots are not yet updated for the change to the start of the Summer 2021 schedules. Enroute capacity outlook – No major en-route capacity issues are expected in the network for the period. More sectors might need to be open flexibly during peak hours or opening hours should be extended during the weekends. It is strongly recommended to foresee a 10% buffer in the expected traffic demand to avoid sudden capacity issues. Airport outlook –Airports are not anticipating airside capacity issues in February and March 2021. Airports are requested to continue to update the Airport Corner, including expected severe weather phenomena at the latest by D-1, to facilitate Network, Airline and Airport planning. Green aviation measures – NM, together with the operational stakeholders, relaxed up to 1200 RAD measures. This generated distance flown savings amounting to 26000 NM per day. The RAD relaxation will continue until 17 June 2021 and the suspension of additional RAD restrictions in support of improved flight planning options for the airspace users will be envisaged. Edition Number: 14 Edition Validity Date: 12-02-2021 Classification: Green Page: iv Page Validity Date: 12-02-2021 EUROCONTROL Network Management Directorate TABLE OF CONTENT DOCUMENT CONTROL ....................................................................................................... I EDITION HISTORY ............................................................................................................. II CHECKLIST ....................................................................................................................... III EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................... IV 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 7 1.1 Scope of the European Network Operations Plan – Rolling Seasonal plan ................ 7 1.2 Geographical Area covered by the European Network Operations Plan – Rolling Seasonal Plan ......................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Preparation of the Plan ........................................................................................... 8 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE NOP ROLLING SEASONAL PLAN, OPERATIONAL TARGETS & OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................ 8 2.1 Strategic Objectives ................................................................................................ 8 2.2 A Collaborative Process .......................................................................................... 8 2.3 EU Performance Targets Application ....................................................................... 9 2.4 Priorities and Resources ......................................................................................... 9 2.5 Impact on ATM and Other Areas.............................................................................. 9 2.6 Strategic Evolution of the NOP ................................................................................ 9 2.7 Preparations for the Network Operations Plan ....................................................... 10 3 OVERALL NETWORK OPERATIONS PLANNING PROCESSES ........................... 11 3.1 Strategic Planning Processes Description ............................................................. 11 3.2 ATFCM Phases and Processes .............................................................................. 11 3.3 Description of Data and Tools Used ....................................................................... 11 4 OVERALL CONTEXT AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS .............................. 12 4.1 Challenges and Opportunities ............................................................................... 12 4.2 Network Traffic Outlook ........................................................................................ 13 4.3 Network Operational Performance Requirements .................................................. 34 5 NETWORK OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE PLANS AND ACTIONS AT NETWORK LEVEL ................................................................................................... 35 6 OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT PLANS AND ACTIONS AT LOCAL LEVEL ......................................................................................................... 36 6.1 ACC Capacity Enhancement Measures .................................................................. 36 6.2 Airport Performance Enhancement and network integration .................................. 37 6.3 FAB integration into the Network planning process ................................................ 40 6.4 Relationship with ‘Third Countries’ ........................................................................ 40 6.5 Relationship with ICAO.......................................................................................... 40 7 SPECIAL EVENTS ................................................................................................... 41 7.1 Overview of Special Events with significant ATM impact........................................ 41 Edition Number: 14 Edition Validity Date: 12-02-2021 Classification: Green Page: v Page Validity Date: 12-02-2021 EUROCONTROL Network Management Directorate 7.2 Individual Special Events