THIRD FLEXIBLE ATS ROUTE
MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Draft REPORT
Paris, France, 8 to 10 March, 2011
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PART I – HISTORY OF THE WORKSHOP
1. PLACE AND DURATION
1.1 The Third Flexible ATS Route Management Workshop convened at the initiative of IATA and
with the support of ICAO and CANSO was held in at the ICAO EUR/NAT Offices in Paris from 8 to 10
March 2011.
2. OPENING, OFFICERS AND SECRETARIAT
2.1 The workshop was opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Sven Halle, Regional Officer, ANS
Implementation, ICAO EUR/NAT Office.
2.2. The proceedings of the workshop were conducted by Mr. Don Harris from IATA Montreal. Ms.
Carole Stewart-Green ICAO EUR/NAT and Ms. Patricia Cuff, ICAO EUR/NAT supported him as
members of the secretariat for this workshop.
3. ATTENDANCE
3.1 The workshop was attended by a total of forty-two (42) participants from thirteen (13) States, namely
Angola, Argentina, Cape Vert, Colombia, France, Israel, Italy, Namibia, Nigeria, Portugal, Republic
democratic de Congo, Senegal and Turkey and eight (8) organizations and corporations (ASECNA,
CANSO, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, IATA, ICAO and Jeppesen, The list of participants is at Appendix
B to this report.
4. LANGUAGE
4.1 Discussions were conducted in the English language.
5. I-FLEX BACKGROUND, CONCEPTS AND SOLUTIONS; AGENDA OF THE WORKSHOP
5.1 In the Global Air Navigation Plan (Doc.9750), ICAO introduced the concept of dynamic and flexible
ATM as one of its Strategic Objective. Global Plan Initiative (GPI-7) states that routes need not be fixed
to pre-determined waypoints, except where required for control purposes. GPI-8 enhances the
implementation process with Collaborative Decision-Management techniques to organize airspace in a
collaborative manner involving all stakeholders to accommodate user-defined flexible routings.
5.2 iFlex intends to build on these Strategic Objectives and transition into a more dynamic environment
that remains agile enough to address daily flight operations variables, yet remains responsive to Air
Traffic Management (ATM) and Operators’ needs. Flexibility is derived from the design of the airspace
and opportunities exist in almost all operating environments, whether dense and short-haul or sparse
traffic flows and long-haul flights.
5.3 Specifically, environmental benefits in fuel burn and CO2 avoidance are significant in longer-range
flights. This is evident in the two sampled long-haul flight routings – that of Emirates Airlines flying
from Dubai to Sao Paolo and Delta Airlines on the Atlanta to Johannesburg leg. Flying across the South
Atlantic airspace, and the recent activation of the AORRA (a random route area), there remain a limited
number of access points available for entering and exiting this airspace, especially on the northwestern
and western boundaries (Dakar, Atlantico, Rochambeau and Piarco FIR’s). The relative lack of a
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supporting infrastructure (lack of transition waypoints/routings) substantially limits the ability to
accomplish route efficiencies sought after by the ICAO Global roadmap. Besides finding ways and
means to identify the major challenges on long-haul operations, a collaborative process involving all
stakeholders in the context of an end-to-end flight routing was necessitated by means of a workshop
setting.
5.4 iFlex Solution: In order to realize the fuel savings and Carbon Emission reductions envisioned by the
creation of the AORRA, both additional AORRA entry waypoints, transitions to domestic/continental
airspace and additional crossing opportunities for the EUROSAM corridor are required. The two ‘demo’
flights deployed as proving flights for the iFLEX concept are estimated to yield approximately 2,3
million kgs CO2.
In view of the above, the agenda at Appendix A to this report was established for the workshop.
PART II-SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
II-1 March 8, 2011 Workshop Agenda:
IATA presented an introduction to the iFLEX program, its concepts and objectives. The presentation
demonstrated the fact that the preferred daily trajectory on a given city pair could vary greatly on a
seasonal and even daily basis.
Received briefing from Emirates on Dubai (DXB) to Sao Paulo (GRU) user preferred routes to achieve
maximum efficiencies and carbon emissions savings based on prevailing wind models. Emirates
highlighted best practices and benefits from the Free Route Airspace Lisbon initiative and the North
American Route Plan. Emirates briefed the Group on the new temporary airways that span the northern
part of the African Continent that were agreed at Workshop 2
Received briefing from Delta on Atlanta (ATL) to Johannesburg (JNB) user preferred routes to achieve
maximum efficiencies and carbon emissions savings based on prevailing wind models. Delta provided a
briefing on changes to airspace infrastructure that were agreed at Workshop 1 and the positive affect
these changes are having on Delta’s operations.
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The Group reviewed the results of Workshop 1 and updated the Future Actions and Proposals from the
Meeting Report. It was noted that the future actions had either been completed or were addressed in this
report.
ASECNA noted that lateral deviation due to weather conditions occurred frequently particularly during
the rainy season. Mitigations would be put in place and this issue will not affect the actual conduct of the
trial.
During the course of Workshop 1 it was agreed that:
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
Individual FIRs would publish named waypoints for implementation date allowing for 3 AIRAC
cycles starting March 10, 2011 and for an effective date of June 2, 2011 and

A trial period would allow Delta Airlines and Emirates Airline to commence participating with
trial flights from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011. The trial will be conducted on the basis of a
Letter of Agreement between individual ANSP’s and the two participating airlines respectively.
To provide clarity to the decisions taken at the first Workshop it was agreed that the named waypoints
would be published on the March 10, 2011 AIRAC date with an effective date of the airspace changes on
April 7, 2011. A trial utilizing AORRA entry / exit points and EUR SAM corridor crossing points would
then be conducted; exclusively by Emirates and Delta Air Lines between April 7 and June 29.
The period of the trial was extended until June 29 to line up with the timing of the trial of continental
African routings that were agreed at Workshop 2.
Following the successful result from the trial, Flex route operations utilising AORRA entry/exit points
and EUR/SAM corridor crossing points would then be available for all operators on June 30, 2011.
After reviewing the decision to conduct the trial on the basis of a Letter of Agreement between individual
ANSP’s and the two participating airlines it was agreed to drop this requirement as no value was seen in
doing so and it appeared to be an overly cumbersome process.
It was noted that co-ordination with Sao Tome was not completed in time to meet the March 10, 2011
AIRAC date this resulted in two routes between Sao Tome and Libreville being dropped from the list of
proposed airspace changes agreed at Workshop 1. Efforts will be made to complete the necessary coordination in time to meet the April 7, 2011 AIRAC date.
Efforts continue to convene a joint meeting with Atlantico, Piarco, Cayenne-Rochambeau, Dakar and
United States to reach further agreements to complete and harmonize implementation of iFlex
infrastructure improvements allowing for more efficient routes and environmental savings in the South
Atlantic airspace. A meeting in April appears to be feasible and efforts will continue to convene the
meeting.
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The Group reviewed the results of Workshop 2 and the Future Actions and Proposals from the Meeting
Report. It was noted that the future actions had either been completed or were addressed in this report.
It was noted that IATA and ICAO had not been able to complete coordination of proposed airspace
changes with Entebbe, Nairobi, Adddis, Asmara, Cairo, Tripoli, Amman and Sana’a FIR’s. This was due
in part to the current political climate in some of these areas. Mr. Konate and Ms. Sayed will continue
efforts to coordinate airspace changes requirements with above FIRs.
During the course of Workshop 2 it was agreed that:

Continental routings would be published under AIRAC April 7, 2011 AIRAC Cycle with
effective date 30 June 2011. Those ANSPs who are unable to access web based ICARD system,
5NLC’s will be obtained from ICAO.
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To provide clarity to the decisions taken at Workshop 2 it was decided that the continental routings
which would be designated as “UQ” would be published under AIRAC April 7, 2011 with an effective
date of May 5, 2011. They would be designated as RNAV10 routes.
A trial utilizing the continental routings would then be conducted; exclusive to Emirates and Delta Air
Lines between May 5 and June 29.
Following the successful result from the trial, the UQ airways would then be available for all operators
on June 30, 2011.
Received Briefing from IATA introducing Civil – Military cooperation. The briefing presented a number
of options to consider when conducting co-ordination between civil and military authorities.
It was noted with regret that the military authorities invited to the meeting had not been able to attend.
Flexible Use of Airspace and Civil – Military cooperation in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia
are key enablers for the success of the demonstration flights. Several route proposals, as found in
Appendix B, are contingent upon approval by military authorities in the afore-mentioned States. Some
work in this area may be advanced at the MID Region Civil-Military Conference in Cairo in May.
Participants in Workshop 3 with experience in effective Civil – Military cooperation provided examples
and suggestions that could serve to assist those States that do not yet have Flexible Use of Airspace.
Appendix C of this report contains guidance to AOs, ANSPs/CAAs and Military Authorities to facilitate
the use of User Preferred Trajectories in the context of the demonstration flights.
II-2 March 9, 2011 Workshop Agenda:
NAV Portugal gave a detailed briefing on Flex Route operations in the Lisbon and Santa Maria FIRs. It
was noted that significant savings in miles flown and associated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
had been achieved as a result of the Free Route Airspace Lisbon (FRAL) initiative.
NAV Portugal advised that FRAL had been implemented with little operational difficulty and that the
Lisbon airspace was being now managed more efficiently
The Group the reviewed a proposed Draft AIP Supplement that each State could use to promulgate the
airspace changes that will be announced via the March 10, 2011 AIRAC date. It was noted that having
each State use a consistent format and the same wording would be a benefit. A copy of the agreed AIP
Supplement is attached at Appendix D.
It was agreed that States would use different methods to announce the commencement of the trial. Some
States advised that they would issue a NOTAM to announce the commencement of the trial while others
would include information regarding the trial in their AIP supplement.
A draft AIC, providing information on the iFLEX Project and the conduct of the two trials was presented
to the Group by CANSO. It was greed that it would be beneficial if all States issued this AIC to provide
awareness to the aviation community of both the iFLEX Project and the associated trials. Some editing of
the AIC required prior to issue. A copy of the Draft AIC is attached at Appendix E.
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Delta Airlines gave a presentation of TAAM simulation of 24 hour traffic periods for the Europe to
South America corridor as well as Continental Africa. The simulation was prepared using the
information contained in the Official Airline Guide. It was noted that this presentation was helpful in
presenting the general volume and flow of traffic in these two areas. However, it would be beneficial to
have live traffic data available to make a more robust simulation of traffic over the Continental Africa.
CANSO offered to gather the data and begin the task of developing simulation. With that in mind, each
State and ANSP is encouraged to provide a month of AFTN data to Mr. Greg McDonald of Air services
Australia to enable this process to begin.
The Group discussed ways and means of measuring the success of the trials. Delta and Emirates agreed
to compile a file showing the fuel and emissions savings accumulated over the period of the trial. For
each participating flight a flight plan will be generated using the fixed route structure as it is today. The
airlines will then generate a Flex Route, which will be the route filed and flown. A calculation of the
resultant savings will then be calculated and recorded. The airlines will also monitor their actual flight
trajectories flown and compare them to the planned trajectory by means of post-flight crew debriefs.
States, ANSPs and airlines that that encounter operational problems during the conduct of the trial will
submit a problem report for review and corrective action. IATA agreed to act as the monitoring agency
for the conduct of the trials. All problem reports should be submitted electronically to iflex@iata.org.
IATA then briefed the Group on the next steps for the iFLEX program. Lessons learned will be gathered
from the trials that will be conducted between April and June 2011. The results will be incorporated into
the iFLEX Guidance Material. Based on the results IATA intends to conduct future trials using the same
conceptual framework as used in the initial iFLEX trials.
It was noted that the SESAR JU has expressed an interested in implementing Flex Routes on the
EUR/SAM corridor.
No items were brought forward during the Any Other Business discussions.
II-3 February 17, 2011 Workshop Agenda:
The Group met in plenary and drafted the meeting report.
Appendix A
PROVISIONAL AGENDA
Agenda Item 1: Welcome, Introductions and Logistics
Agenda Item 2: Briefing on the aims of the iFLEX program.
IATA will brief the Workshop on the origin, aims and objectives of the iFLEX Program.
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Agenda Item 3:
Best practices briefings and demonstrations.
CANSO will brief the Workshop on Flexible Route initiatives that have been implemented in
other Regions and States. The briefing will highlight successes and procedural requirements that
have been developed in support of Flex Route implementation. CANSO industry partners will
also provide ATM demonstrations as used in order to support implementation
Agenda Item 4:
Briefing on Dubai – Sao Paulo operations.
Emirates Airlines as a volunteer airline will brief the workshop on operations on the Dubai – Sao
Paulo route and v.v. The briefing will highlight challenges faced in today’s environment and
present iFLEX options that would allow Emirates to gain operational efficiencies reduce fuel
consumption and carbon emissions.
Agenda Item 5:
Briefing on Atlanta– Johannesburg operations.
Delta Airlines as a volunteer airline will brief the Workshop on operations on the Atlanta Johannesburg route and v.v. The briefing will highlight challenges faced in today’s environment
and present iFLEX options that would allow Delta Airlines to gain operational efficiencies reduce
fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Agenda Item 6:
Develop ATM procedures to support Flex Route operations.
This session will consider strategies that will support the use of Flexible Routes on demonstration
flights between Dubai and Sao Paulo and Atlanta and Johannesburg and v.v. ATM system experts
and airline representatives will collaborate to develop the necessary ATM procedures to support
the use of Flexible Routes
Agenda Item 7:
Develop pilot and dispatcher procedures to support Flex Route operations.
This session will consider, if required, what special procedures may need to be developed for
pilots and dispatchers in support of implementing Flex Route operations.
Agenda Item 8:
Any other business.
Any other matters not specifically provided for and covered under the above agenda items, might
be addressed under this agenda item.
END
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