The Free Route Airspace Maastricht and Karlsruhe (FRAMaK) project was the winner in the Environment Category of IHS Jane’s ATC Awards, which were announced on the eve of the World ATM Congress in Madrid on 9 March. The aim of the project was to demonstrate both operational feasibility and benefits of cross‐border direct routing options in the very dense and complex airspace over Belgium, most of Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

With a total of 466 published cross-border direct routes, the network has been expanded considerably. This results in significant savings for airlines and reduction of CO2 emissions.

Potential annual savings by airlines of 1.5 million nautical miles, roughly equating to 9,000 tonnes of fuel are possible, according to figures published by the project. This will in turn lead to reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 30,000 tonnes. Airlines can plan more efficiently, less fuel will be taken on board, and there will be fewer deviations from flight plans.

FRAMaK was a joint project of DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, EUROCONTROL’s Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre and Deutsche Lufthansa in the framework of SESAR Integrated Flight Trial and Demonstration Activities co-funded by the SESAR Joint Undertaking.

Klaus-Dieter Scheurle, CEO of DFS, said: “This award confirms the good collaboration between air navigation service providers and airlines in enhancing flight efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions to the benefit of stakeholders, passengers and society as a whole."

“Flying direct routes between countries in Europe is possible and can offer real benefits to airlines in terms of flight predictability and fuel savings. This is certainly good news for all those involved in aviation, but equally good for European society and the economy,” said Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, about the project.

The Jane’s ATC Awards are annually given to outstanding projects and developments by the journal IHS Jane’s Airport Review.