Summary of capacity performance
Bulgaria experienced an increase in traffic from 516k flights in 2021 to 822k flights in 2022, with zero ATFM delay. However, traffic levels were still substantially below the 879k flights in 2019. Although traffic levels were still below 2019 on an annual basis, over the second half of 2022 the number of flights were quite close to 2019, and in some cases exceeded the 2019 summer peaks.
NSA’s assessment of capacity performance
During 2022 the number of serviced aircraft gradually increased, approaching 2019 levels. As a follow-up to the events in Ukraine, reciprocal bans have been imposed on the use of EU airspace by Russian aircraft and on the use of Russian Federation airspace by European aircraft. These actions led to a significant extension of the flight time for some destinations (mainly from/to the Far East and the aggregate flow from/to Other ICAO regions in Asia) and to the shift of non-traditional traffic to the Bulgarian airspace. BULATSA carried out the necessary preparations in a timely manner and successfully dealt with the increased air traffic over Bulgaria by developing sector configurations to handle the traffic and providing the necessary number of air traffic controllers. The number of serviced aircraft was 832,923, which is a increase of 58% compared to the previous year but was still below (~ 6.5%) the pre-pandemic 2019. The reported delay figure for Bulgaria in 2022 is 0.00.
Monitoring process for capacity performance
Monitoring of capacity performance is effected through regular monitoring of the minutes of delay generated, based on the information provided by NM. Monitoring is done on a monthly basis.
Capacity planning
Capacity planning is done on a network level as part of the capacity planning processes established by NM. Additionally, BULATSA has established internal capacity planning which is based on the traffic forecast produced by STATFOR, but also based on the internally produced traffic forecasts, which take into account local specifics. The capacity planning process includes:
• HR availability and rostering, both in long term ( new ATCO hiring and training) , but also in the medium ( seasonal) and short term (monthly). HR requirements are assessed and measures are taken to re-prioritize available resources during the busy periods.
• Medium and long term planning of capacity availability based on technological improvements, introduction of SESAR innovations, system upgrades
• Airspace changes, sectorization and development of interfaces with adjacent FIRs.
The issues and plans are regularly reviewed and reassess in relation to current operational environment and forecasts. A Capacity Management Board is established internally that convenes once a month in order to discuss the latest information and trends. The Capacity Board includes a broad range of experts ( technical, operational, financial and legal) in order to ensure that multidisciplinary approach to capacity is undertaken.
War in Ukraine
As a response to the situation, BULATSA introduced the utilization of new airspace configurations ( now the lateral split of Sofia east sectors is actively used). A new organization of the interfaces with Turkey were agreed and will be implemented for Summer 2023. Cross training between sector cluster was initiated and successfully completed to allow for more flexibility in the human resources re-allocation. Meetings were carried out with major airspace users ( Turkish Airlines) to review flight planning practices and agree on some traffic flow initiatives. Administrative staff with operational competence was reallocated for the peak traffic periods. At the same time, BULATSA has continued the work on key technological projects (rostering system, complexity management system, ATM system) in order to ensure that capacity will be improved in the medium and long term.
Application of Corrective Measures for Capacity (if applicable)
No data available