Summary of capacity performance
Bulgaria experienced an increase in traffic from 376k flights in 2020 to 516k flights in 2021, with zero ATFM delay. However, traffic levels were still substantially below the 879k flights in 2019.
NSA’s assessment of capacity performance
The traffic has not recovered yet to the pre-crisis levels, however, it should duly be noted that a need for allotment of operational staff in 4-working flows is extremely demanding. The working flows have been put in place to restrict the spread of COVID 19 infection and to ensure the 24/7 service continuity. Besides, the allocation of 4-working flows came up unsatisfactory response to the match between demand and capacity in terms of available ATCOs, and therefore the number of working flows has been reduced to 3.
As a main priority to preserve the health of people Bulatsa was forced to switch to inflexible rostering, the freedom of ATCO’s movement in different shifts configurations has been restrained.
Monitoring process for capacity performance
The monitoring report contained information about health and sanitary screening in response to the COVID 19 pandemic, rather than information on the monitoring of capacity performance.
Capacity planning
Capacity planning was on weekly basis with regard to the traffic forecast delivered by NM. The longer term forecasts were of inaccurate nature leading to over- or underestimating the number of ATCOs needed for each particular day. Relaxation in traffic volumes brought about suspension of some RAD restrictions with no significant effect on capacity.
Application of Corrective Measures for Capacity (if applicable)
Not applicable.