SESAR Won't Be Fully Compatible With NextGen

Europe is getting started on its own version of Next-Generation Air Traffic Control, dubbed "SESAR."

The Associated Press reports the GPS-based system -- put into limited service throughout Europe on Monday -- will eliminate reliance on the radio beacons, and enable controllers to break free from the decades-old limitations of structured airways.

Eurocontrol, the regional ATC agency, says the system's ability to reduce waits and holds will save the airlines about 4 billion euros per year in reduced fuel consumption, equivalent to about $5 billion US.

The data-processing infrastructure for the system will be based in Maastricht, The Netherlands, and will initially control traffic only over Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and northwest Germany. Eurocontrol spokeswoman Mireille Roman says it will eventually operate continent-wide.

Expert predictions call for flights over Europe to more than double, from 10 million now to 20.4 million, by 2030. Full implementation of GPS-based ATC is targeted in Europe for 2025.

The US is working on a similar system which would offer similar benefits, but is not fully compatible with the hardware proposed for use in Europe's system.

FMI: www.eurocontrol.int