Summary of capacity performance
The Czech Republic experienced an increase in traffic from 404k flights in 2021 to 616k flights in 2022, with 892k minutes of en route ATFM delay. Traffic levels were still below the 867k flights in 2019.
26k minutes of en route ATFM delay originating in the Praha ACC were re-attributed to DFS (13k) and DSNA (13k) via the NM post operations delay attribution process, according to the NMB agreement for eNM/S22 measures, to ameliorate capacity shortfalls in both Karlsruhe UAC and Reims ACC.
An additional 68k minutes of ATFM delay due to ‘exceptional events’ were excluded after consultation with the European Commission and the Network Manager, giving a final value of 730k minutes of en route ATFM delay.
NSA’s assessment of capacity performance
The whole year 2022 was very unusual in terms of operational context. Civil aviation entered the year with expectations of the fading effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and an expected return of traffic volumes to the pre-crisis levels.
These expectations were matched by the newly approved revised performance plan, which focused on capacity growth and further streamlining of all processes to ensure that all users of the Czech airspace were provided with sufficient service capacity and that all commitments made in the performance plan in areas of the CAP and ENV were met.
From this perspective, the continuation of the cross-border integration of FRA and in particular the deployment of the new main ATM system, i.e. the TopSky project, were essential.
While the last impacts and constraints related to the covid-19 pandemic have almost become a thing of the past, we have had to deal with another obstacle that is almost unthinkable in the civilised world. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has not only damaged the confidence of a large part of society in a stable security arrangement in Europe, but has fundamentally affected the expected return to normalcy of civil air traffic.
This led to fundamental changes in the layout and structure of air traffic flow, which have had a negative impact on the Czech airspace. In particular, increased special MIL OPS forced AOs and ANSPs to search for alternative OPS. In order to ensure special MIL OPS, dedicated corridors of temporary segregated airspace through the entire LKAA were designed and ad-hoc activated.
For this reason, frequent changes of horizontal and vertical profiles had to be used on tactical level in order to combine the requirements of CIV and MIL users as much as possible.
As a consequence, and in combination with newly implemented ATM system Top Sky, it had despite the immediate implementation of corrective measures (in particular increased use of available ATCOs) negative impact on both capacity and enviromental performance of the ANS CR.
There was a significant lack of capacity in LKAA in 2022 due to a time-limited combination of unfavourable factors.
Firstly, ANS CR puts into OPS the new ATM system Top Sky on 24 FEB 2022.
Secondly, the Russian’s war of aggression against Ukraine had very negative impact on OPS in LKAA. Remedial actions were taken already in 2022 (since August 2022, the recorded delay has been on a downward trend) and also they have been taken to significantly improve the situation in 2023.
Monitoring process for capacity performance
The monitoring process is based on quarterly monitoring reports prepared by ANS CR. These are based on the company Annual plan and cover all KPAs.
In accordance with the NM, 26k minutes of delay were deducted from LKAA FIR and allocated to DFS and DSNA within the framework of PostOPS Adjustment.
In coordination with NM, ANS CR assigned all ATFM measures in relation to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and new ATMS system Top Sky implementation with designation “special event”. In total it represents 766k minutes.
Capacity planning
No data available
Application of Corrective Measures for Capacity (if applicable)
The reason for the lack of capacity in the Czech Republic airspace was a combination of unfavourable factors. ANS CR decided to stick to the plan and switch OPS to the new ATM system Tops Sky regardless Russia started its aggression against Ukraine on the same moment.
Full utilisation of operational staff with maximum use of overtime (up to the legal limit), ongoing airspace optimisation project (cross licencing and training of ATCO students on layer ‘’L’’).
Coordination with the Czech AirForce regarding minimization of MIL OPS impacts on civil aviation, stabilization and repairs of TopSky in cooperation with the supplier (THALES ).
Additional Information Related to Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine
Russian invasion of Ukraine have major impact on OPS in LKAA. As can be seen from the statistics, it caused significant changes in traffic flows. In addition, increased and special MIL OPS forced AOs ans ANSPs to search for alternative OPS.
In order to ensure special MIL OPS dedicated corridors of temporary segregated airspace through the entire LKAA were designed and ad-hoc activated. For this reason, frequent changes of horizontal and vertical profiles had to be used on tactical level in order to combine the requirements of CIV and MIL users as much as possible.
As a consequence, and in combination with newly implemented ATM system Top Sky, it had negative impact on ANS CR capacity performance.
In coordination with NM ANS CR assigned all ATFM measures in relation to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and new ATMS system Top Sky implementation with designation “special event”. In total it represents 766k minutes.
FEB - 1367, MAR - 1271, APR - 53783, MAY - 28625, JUN - 239520, JUL - 278549, AUG - 88395, SEP - 52731, OCT - 20225, NOV - 395, DEC - 1196
Remedial actions to mitigate the adverse impacts on capacity performance include: full utilisation of operational staff with maximum use of overtime (up to the legal limit), ongoing airspace optimisation project, close cooperation with the NM.