Eurocontrol identifies in air navigation, a number of key safety areas to improve
The Safety Regulation Commission (SRC) from Eurocontrol has confirmed in its 2011 annual safety report that Europe has met its safety targets as set by ECAC for ATM-related accidents. However, Eurocontrol, has also informed on the lack of resources and qualified staff at national level dedicated to safety data collection and analysis, as one of the safety areas to improve.
The Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, has published the 2011 annual safety report in which the Safety Regulation Commission (SRC) confirms that Europe has met its safety targets as set by ECAC for Air Traffic Management (ATM)-related accidents. On the other hand, the report also identifies a number of key safety areas to improve. Among them, Harry Daly, Chairman of the SRC highlights that the 2011 results from the ESIMS Audit Programme (ESARR Implementation Monitoring and Support) confirmed issues in the areas related to the implementation of the basic processes for safety oversight. In August 2011, Eurocontrol presented new rules to improve aircraft identification and surveillance performance and interoperability.
The report also adds that additional pressure on operating budgets for both Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and regulators is seen as inevitable. The industry will be relying on its previous investments in safety culture, resources and infrastructure to ensure that safety is allocated to the correct place. The SRC Chairman, Mr Daly, underlines that efforts need to be made at European level to improve the support that is given to NSAs and to ensure that they have the resources and the training to deliver their important function.
In addition, Mr Daly stressed that widespread budget cuts have been applied in ATM that can affect the availability of safety resources in the short term. The report underlines that the considerable effects of the global economic downturn have yet to be fully felt in the ATM safety field. The Eurocontrol Agency is currently assessing how best it could provide support to its Member States.