International ANSP Meeting on Cross-Polar and Trans-Eastern Routes Concludes

The meeting was attended by over 30 delegates, representing the ANSPs of Iceland, Canada, Norway, the Russian Federation, the United States, Finland, as well as airlines. Delegates fr om the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also took part in the meeting. The Russian Federation was represented by Alexey Buevich, Deputy Director General and Head of Main ATM Centre.

The meeting participants summarised the outcomes of their activities in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, discussed further development of Cross-Polar and Trans-Eastern routes, the enhancement of air traffic services quality, and the industry’s post-COVID-19 recovery prospects.

The Russian Federation provided an update on air traffic statistics, the advancing ACC consolidation programme, the new airspace structure implementation, and the ongoing technical upgrade. The foreign delegates were informed of the current ATS route network optimisation efforts to support transit flights, Free Route Airspace (FRA) implementation, and plans for further service quality improvement.

The discussions that followed provided answers to all of the questions raised by the foreign airline representatives; an action plan for further optimisation was outlined, with the view of reducing air operator costs and attracting more traffic into the airspace wh ere the Russian Federation is responsible for air traffic management.

The airline representatives specifically mentioned the Russian Federation’s efforts to implement optimal routes that benefit airspace users, prompt operational coordination, and a strong customer focus in dealing with incoming requests and suggestions.  

The next meeting will take place in September 2021.