Summary of capacity performance
Bulgaria experience an increase in traffic from 822k flights in 2022, with almost zero en route ATFM delay, to 974k flights in 2023 with 55k minutes of en route ATFM delay. For reference, in 2019, Bulgaria had 879k flights with less than 500 minutes of en route ATFM delay.
There were an additional 6k minutes of delay originating in Bulgaria that were re-attributed to DFS via the NM post operations delay attribution process, according to the NMB agreement for eNM/S23 measures, to ameliorate capacity shortfalls in Karlsruhe UAC.
NSA’s assessment of capacity performance
During 2023 the number of serviced aircraft increased, surpassing 2019 levels by approximately 10%. The reciprocal bans imposed on the use of EU airspace by Russian aircraft and on the use of Russian Federation airspace by European aircraft still stand. These actions lead 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 flights in Sofia FIR is 983,382, which is a increase of 18% compared to the previous year, where IFR flights account for 974 thousand.
Delays were generated only due to weather (55,299 code W). All challenges related to the handling of the problems associated with the war in Ukraine were successfully handled by the ANSP.
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 reassessed 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.
Application of Corrective Measures for Capacity (if applicable)
Not applicable.
Additional Information Related to Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine
Significant amount of traffic flows were redirected since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. This created a concentration of traffic in particular sectors (East sectors of Sofia cluster) and strained considerably the throughput in the airspace and interfaces. At the same time other sectors (Varna cluster) remained underloaded. The uneven distribution of traffic created particular challenges, which were timely addressed by the ANSP through re-allocation of resources, revision of interfaces with Türkiye and traffic flow management initiatives. The big impact over traffic flows is the outstanding aviation developments in Türkiye (Sabiha gökçen international airport has opened the new RWY). The expansion of the new Istanbul airport is overwhelming .
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 Türkiye was 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 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.
En route Capacity Incentive Scheme
BULATSA: The incentive scheme is under review by the European Commission
In accordance with Article 3(3)(a) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1627: The incentive scheme shall cover only the calendar years 2022 to 2024.