First Airspace Strategy for Poland Published

Madrid – PANSA (the Polish Air Navigation Service Provider) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the publication of the first edition of an Airspace Strategy for Poland (ASP).

The demand for aviation in Poland is expected to double in the next two decades, generating an estimated 1.5 million flights per year. Over a similar period, passenger volumes at Polish airports could grow to as many as 68 million passengers a year.

Servicing this demand, while ensuring safety, improving environmental performance and reducing costs and delays requires Poland to modernize its airspace and air traffic management (ATM) network. Successful airspace and ATM modernization is expected to create significant benefits, including an extra €6 billion in annual GDP and 65,000 new Polish jobs by 2035.

The ASP was jointly developed by IATA and PANSA. The document covers an agreed scope of initiatives on airspace modernization.

“I believe PANSA will provide an important contribution to the airspace modernization over Europe. Current evolving aviation market needs, especially the capacity demand, is a major factor which encouraged IATA and PANSA for this bottom-up initiative”, said Janusz Janiszewski, PANSA’s Acting President.

“Current levels of airspace-related delays across Europe are a serious inconvenience for passengers and a drag on economic activity. The projected growth in passengers—which is particularly strong in Poland—will make these challenges more acute. So PANSA’s leadership in working with airlines on an Airspace Strategy for Poland is hugely significant. Working closely with PANSA, we can ensure that Polish airspace is optimized, bringing huge economic benefits to the country”, said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe.

The Airspace Strategy for Poland covers:

• The strategic direction for the future of ATM in Poland,
• Airspace modernization initiatives for more capacity and more efficient routes that reduce fuel burn and improve environmental performance,
• ATM systems development,
• Cooperation with European partners to accelerate the achievement of Single European Sky (SES) goals.
• Consultation and cooperation with Polish aviation stakeholders.

As part of a wider aim to provide for future demand for air transport, Poland is planning a new Central Transport Hub (CTH) project, including a large new airport. The ASP will contribute to understanding the scope of changes needed not only on the ground (infrastructure) but also within the airspace structures. The ASP also addresses the period directly before the opening of the CTH, which will be crucial for the smooth transition of air traffic flows.

IATA and PANSA believe that the engagement and cooperation of all Polish aviation stakeholders is essential to achieve the SES goals and deliver the expected benefits for passengers, industry and the economy.