Building a virtual centre demonstrator, the EXODUS project represents an important first step towards a future federated ATM operating model. 

Europe’s air traffic management (ATM) is composed of country-based systems and processes – a fragmentation that has resulted in a lack of interoperability and more costly air navigation services. 

Working to overcome these challenges is COOPANS. An international partnership between the air navigation service providers (ANSPs) of Austria (Austro Control), Croatia (Croatia Control), Denmark (Naviair), Ireland (AirNav Ireland), Portugal (NAV Portugal) and Sweden (LFV), COOPANS acts as a single organisation operating a world class, safe and cost-effective ATM system based on the Thales TopSky ATC solution.

With over a decade of efficient cooperation amongst its members, COOPANS is ready to take the next step in ATM harmonisation and federated solutions.

The next step in this journey is the EXODUS project—a Digital Sky Demonstrator co-funded by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility, managed by CINEA.

“SESAR envisions a future single European airspace system that optimises airspace structures and harmonises operations to become more cost efficient,” says Palle Gericke, COOPANS Innovation Manager at Naviair. “EXODUS aims to turn that vision into a reality.”

The virtual centre as a first step towards a future federated operating model

At the heart of this effort is the virtual centre concept – a model that moves away from today’s geographically-based systems and towards a service-oriented, location independent one. It achieves this by decoupling ATM data services, such as flight data, radar and weather information, from the physical location of the air traffic controller. 

The EXODUS project is our first step towards a future federated operating model. “Having a virtual centre-based system will enable greater flexibility when it comes to organising air traffic control operations,” adds Gericke. “It will also provide a seamless and more cost-effective service provision to airlines and other airspace users.” 

To create such a system, the project is focused on developing and installing a shared infrastructure. This includes building at least two central data centres at two different ANSP locations, along with controller, pilot and supervisory working positions at each COOPANS ANSP member site. All COOPANS partners will also install the necessary local components and connect via a shared infrastructure.

The system will add to the increased flexibility, cost-effectiveness, a more resilient approach to airspace management, with enhanced coordination and interoperability among independent centres.

Changes ahead

The virtualisation of ATM is more than just a technical change, it’s a groundbreaking evolution in how ANSPs provide ATM services. As such, it requires completely new business and operating models and a change in the organisation’s culture.

“Making the necessary cultural changes within COOPANS is an ongoing process, but one that is absolutely necessary to both the project’s success and the success of the future federated model,” explains Gericke.     

For example, the EXODUS concept requires organisations to shift from a localised, monolithic approach—where all scenarios are managed independently—to a cooperative model that involves international dependencies. This transition also necessitates that organisations adopt and master new technologies.

“Seeing is believing, and many experts and managers who are comfortable with familiar technologies and concepts will need to see the EXODUS concept in action before they agree to adopt it,” adds Gericke.

A case study on the benefits of using federated air navigation solutions

Knowing this, the project is currently building out the virtual platform to launch demonstrations using live data at ANSP premises. Once operational, the virtual centre demonstrator will provide COOPANS partners with an operating environment where they can learn how to use the new platform and test new business continuity concepts across ANSPs. A total of five demonstrations are planned. A total of five demonstrations are planned.

“The goal is to show how decoupling the ATM data service provider and the air traffic service provider will improve ANSP capabilities and enable an air navigation service provision everywhere from anywhere inside the community,” explains Gericke.

In addition to the virtual centre, the project is also working with the likes of SESAR, EUROCAE and EASA to get the necessary standards and regulations in place within the system’s targeted 2030 – 2035 deployment timeframe.

If successful, EXODUS will position COOPANS as an early adopter of this exciting new service delivery model. But more importantly, it will serve as a case study on the benefits of using federated solutions as a means of increasing flexibility and scalability while also reducing overall costs.

“More than a new step for COOPANS, EXODUS is a giant leap for virtual ATM services,” concludes Gericke.

Participating organisations: Naviair, Hrvatska Kontrola Zracne Plovidbe, Austro Control , Udaras Eitliochta Na Heireann - The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Luftfartsverket, Nav Portugal, Eurocontrol

More about the project: SESAR Joint Undertaking | EXODUS