On the basis of a single article in the daily press, several media have today mentioned Naviair’s new air traffic management system critically and have questioned the air traffic safety concerning the new system.

Naviair always has safety as highest priority, and the safety is not being compromised in connection with the running-in of the new air traffic management system. It is correct that there has been found more functional problems than expected during the running-in of the new system. Therefore, the capacity utilisation has not yet reached the level we had hoped for at this time.

After having been in operation with the new air traffic management system for almost two months, the air traffic safety statement show a better result than the one Naviair obtained in the same period in 2007 with the old system. During these two months, there has been one incident with infringement of separation minima between two aircraft. The incident did not imply risk of collision.

As the error correction rate increases and the air traffic controllers become more familiar with the new system and the related procedures, the capacity limit will be raised accordingly. It is always the air traffic controllers on duty that decide the actual capacity on each watch.

In general the new air traffic management system is technically very stable. Naviair has a good overview of the functional problems and cooperates closely with the supplier to solve them as quickly as possible.

Naviair is aware of the fact that the running-in of the new system and the functional problems put a lot of strain on the air traffic controllers, and we have therefore taken a number of initiatives to reduce the strain on the individual air traffic controller. For example, air traffic controllers are offered collegial support, work in less complicated areas, or extra training.

Communications Coordinator
Mrs. Lis Novak
T +45 3247 7906
M +45 6013 3092
lis@naviair.dk  

PR & Communications
+45 3247 7905

info@naviair.dk