Harmonization of aeronautical data at the border of FABEC States: for a seamless airspace.

The aeronautical information management units of the French and Belgian air navigation service providers (ANSPs) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to harmonise data exchange at the end of November. The agreement is the result of a formal working arrangement agreed by all FABEC ANSPs to establish a Mandatory Information Area (MIA) to harmonise aeronautical information issued by neighbouring countries. Data exchange agreements ensure any data changes that take place are shared between service providers and safety is enhanced as a result of data consistency when information is published.

The MoU between French ANSP Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA) and Belgian ANSP skeyes includes bilateral and multilateral working arrangements between information management units in both agencies. As a result of the agreement, data inconsistencies can be identified and resolved so that only relevant information reaches the European AIS Database (EAD). The exchange excludes temporary information published by NOTAM and AIP supplement but includes data such as airspace geometry, designated points and navaids, route segments, aerodrome information and communications frequencies.

DSNA Aeronautical Information Service unit has already signed similar agreements concerning data provision with adjacent service units in Germany and in Switzerland as part of measures to eliminate data inconsistencies at the border. Information sharing between FABEC ANSPs contributes to improved safety across the region and forms part of industry-wide transition from aeronautical information services (AIS) to aeronautical information management (AIM) through increased digital transactions. It also helps the FABEC area to reach SWIM requirements.