New European Air Traffic Control Deal Signed

In wake of the growth the travel market is seeing, the industry has seen another positive step to creating a better flying experience for everyone. A new agreement between Europe's Air Traffic Control organisations, has created the Single European Sky which will allow aircraft to travel across European countries to follow a much more direct route to their final destination.

The move is seen as a hugely positive step towards greater unity across Europe for airlines. Speaking about the agreement, BAA's Airside Director, Tim Hardy, said "modernising Europe's airspace so aircraft can fly more direct routes using less fuel makes perfect sense and we are delighted that it is moving one step to becoming reality."

Together, Europe's Air Traffic Controllers will combine the technology of each country's control systems, bringing together a single, unified airspace.

Organisations to have signed the Memorandum of Understanding include Denmark's Naviair, The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), National Air Traffic Services (NATS), and cross-borders LFV.

Up until now aircraft have needed to ‘zig-zag' over Europe as aircraft fly around countries that, for example, control their own airspace; imposing their own rules. Other aircraft may have to avoid military airspace and other no-fly zones.

The Single European Sky agreement comes as the aviation and travel industry needs more and more capacity, both in the air and in the ground as the demand for air travel increases year-on-year. The EU predicts that air traffic could actually double by 2020.

It's a hugely positive step, seeing European nations working together, in an area that business officials and Governments see as a real positive and important growth area for all countries. The UK for instance, has seen the government declare the travel industry as being in the top five markets for biggest growth in 2011, making it a very important part of the UK economy.

Not only does the move bring business benefit but it shows huge green, environmental pluses too – far less fuel will be used as aircraft fly more directly – fewer miles – to their destinations. It's estimated that around 10% less fuel will be used by each aircraft. And this in term brings benefits to the passenger too, less fuel should mean lowering fare costs too, as well as faster travelling times.