Europe faces 10 days of delays

DeltaFlot · 01-26-2002, 07:01 PM

January 26, 2002 Posted: 2:45 PM EST (1945 GMT)

European air traffic rules are changing
LONDON, England -- European air travellers face more than a week of possible disruption as a result of two new air traffic control systems being introduced.

Passengers have been warned that delays could exist during the next 10 days.

Eurocontrol, the Brussels-based body which co-ordinates air traffic control across the continent, is bringing in new aircraft separation rules.

And in London a new air traffic control centre is opening after years of delay

Staff at the new headquarters, which was originally scheduled to go live in 1996, will take over much of the work of the London control centre, near Heathrow airport.

"We have warned that there could be delays for around 10 days but this is not a particularly busy part of the year for air movements," a spokesman for the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) told the UK's Press Association news agency.

The repeated delays to the opening of Swanwick have been due to computer software problems at a centre which contains state-of-the-art systems that replace the old 'wooden box' system of air traffic control.

The delays meant that the cost of the centre rose by nearly £150 million to £623 million.

The opening of Swanwick was welcomed by Christopher Darke, General Secretary of the British Air Line Pilots Association (BALPA).

But he called on NATS and the UK government to destart development of a new control centre at Prestwick, northern England -- a project that was put on hold after September 11.

Darke said: "The fall in passenger numbers has proved not so drastic or prolonged as once feared. We need, and NATS can afford, to get Prestwick on stream.

"Unless we have the two centres the UK will not be in a position to compete for future air traffic contracts under the Single European Sky initiative, when all air traffic control across Europe is integrated. The UK could miss out on contracts worth millions of pounds."

The Eurocontrol changes involve a reorganisation of Europe's airspace and the introduction of new rules for aircraft flying in Europe.

The measures reduce the minimum vertical separation distance between planes allowing for more flights.

Travelin' Man · 01-27-2002, 05:25 PM

I guess all of those flagmen will be out of work.

01-26-2002, 07:01 PM	#1
DeltaFlot The Patriot Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Laurel, MD Age: 36 Posts: 3,228	Europe faces 10 days of delays January 26, 2002 Posted: 2:45 PM EST (1945 GMT) European air traffic rules are changing LONDON, England -- European air travellers face more than a week of possible disruption as a result of two new air traffic control systems being introduced. Passengers have been warned that delays could exist during the next 10 days. Eurocontrol, the Brussels-based body which co-ordinates air traffic control across the continent, is bringing in new aircraft separation rules. And in London a new air traffic control centre is opening after years of delay Staff at the new headquarters, which was originally scheduled to go live in 1996, will take over much of the work of the London control centre, near Heathrow airport. "We have warned that there could be delays for around 10 days but this is not a particularly busy part of the year for air movements," a spokesman for the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) told the UK's Press Association news agency. The repeated delays to the opening of Swanwick have been due to computer software problems at a centre which contains state-of-the-art systems that replace the old 'wooden box' system of air traffic control. The delays meant that the cost of the centre rose by nearly £150 million to £623 million. The opening of Swanwick was welcomed by Christopher Darke, General Secretary of the British Air Line Pilots Association (BALPA). But he called on NATS and the UK government to destart development of a new control centre at Prestwick, northern England -- a project that was put on hold after September 11. Darke said: "The fall in passenger numbers has proved not so drastic or prolonged as once feared. We need, and NATS can afford, to get Prestwick on stream. "Unless we have the two centres the UK will not be in a position to compete for future air traffic contracts under the Single European Sky initiative, when all air traffic control across Europe is integrated. The UK could miss out on contracts worth millions of pounds." The Eurocontrol changes involve a reorganisation of Europe's airspace and the introduction of new rules for aircraft flying in Europe. The measures reduce the minimum vertical separation distance between planes allowing for more flights. __________________ Febuary 15, 1898 December 7, 1941 June 8, 1967 September 11, 2001 Never Forget, Never Forgive If you kick the Tiger in the arse, you better be able to deal with the Tiger's teeth.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

01-27-2002, 05:25 PM	#2
Travelin' Man Insane Collector Join Date: May 2000 Location: Aspen USA!!! Posts: 1,919	I guess all of those flagmen will be out of work.