Skyguide and the Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA), respectively Swiss and French providers of air navigation services, have completed a feasibility study concerning the creation of a common “functional airspace block” (FAB) which would be jointly managed and monitored by the two partners. The study was presented on July 6th to the management of the French and Swiss civil aviation authorities, and also to high-ranking representatives of the air forces of the two countries, with a view to initiating the institutional steps required. “We agree that the idea of a shared airspace block, in line with the Single European Sky concept, should be pursued. The FAB approach offers clear benefits in terms of safety, as well as economic and operating efficiencies,” said Alain Rossier, skyguide CEO and Marc Hamy, Director-General of the DSNA in a joint statement. The creation of FABs is therefore a cornerstone of the Single European Sky project, which is intended to enhance the overall performance of Europe’s air traffic management network by eliminating national boundaries and reducing the current fragmentation of service provision within the air navigation services sector. Benefits confirmed by the study The results of the study favour an operational approach, based on the consolidation of existing cooperation and the development of new modes of collaboration between neighbouring service providers, in order to overcome the limitations of the current model of cooperation between skyguide and the DSNA. In addition to the positive findings of the internal working groups, a preliminary cost/benefit analysis commissioned from external consultants also confirms the main benefits which could be derived from creating a joint Franco-Swiss functional airspace block. Skyguide and the DSNA have thus concluded one of the first comprehensive studies concerning the creation of an FAB in Europe. On the basis of the study’s positive conclusions, skyguide and the DSNA have decided to embark immediately on the next phase of further intensifying their collaboration, with the aim of laying the foundations for establishing a Franco-Swiss FAB. This initiative is supported by the Swiss and French regulatory authorities, which have begun the process of preparing an institutional agreement, conformant to the concept of a Single European Sky. Both partners are also open to the inclusion of other European air navigation service providers. A summary of the study, with details of the areas analysed and its recommendations, is available at / FAB/FAB-F-CH_summary_07-07-2006.pdf Skyguide is responsible for providing air navigation services within Swiss airspace and within part of the airspace of neighbouring countries. It is a non-profit, limited company, the majority of whose shares are held by the Swiss Confederation. The company generates an annual turnover of more than CHF 353 million, and employs some 1400 people at 12 locations in Switzerland. Skyguide controlled 1,132,922 flights in 2005. The Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA) is responsible for the provision of air navigation services in France and in certain overseas territories, as part of the public service for which the French state is accountable. The DSNA controlled 2,655,475 flights in 2005, and employs 7,400 people worldwide.