Building a virtual centre demonstrator, the EXODUS project represents an important step towards a future federated ATM operating model
To date, Europe’s air traffic management (ATM) is has been largely composed of country-based systems and processes – a fragmentation that has knock-on effects on lack of interoperability and efficiency more costly air navigation services.
Working to overcome these challenges is COOPANS, an international partnership uniting the air navigation service providers (ANSPs) of Austria (Austro Control), Croatia (Croatia Control), Denmark (Naviair), Ireland (AirNav Ireland), Portugal (NAV Portugal), and Sweden (LFV). Together, COOPANS operates as a single entity, providing a world-class, safe, and cost-effective ATM system built on the Thales TopSky ATC solution.
With over a decade of successful collaboration, COOPANS is poised to advance 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 unified European airspace that optimizes structure and harmonizes operations for greater cost efficiency,” says Palle Gericke, COOPANS Innovation Manager at Naviair. “EXODUS aims to make this vision a reality.”
The virtual centre as a first step towards a future federated operating model
At the core of this initiative is the virtual centre concept—a model that shifts away from geographically-based systems towards a service-oriented, location-independent approach. This concept enables the decoupling of ATM data services, including flight data, radar, and weather information, from the physical location of air traffic controllers.
The EXODUS project is a 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 centers.
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 continuous process, which is is absolutely necessary to both the project’s success and the success of the proposed federated model,” explains Gericke.
For example, the EXODUS concept requires organizations to shift from a localized, monolithic approach—where all scenarios are managed independently—to a cooperative model that involves international dependencies. This transition also necessitates that organizations 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 are provided with an operational environment where both controllers and technical staff can learn to use the new platform and test business continuity concepts across multiple ANSPs. 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
