Croatia Control (CCL) and DFS Aviation Services hosted the first South East ATM Summit (SEAS) held in Cavtat, on September 26 and 27, 2022. The following topics were discussed at the meeting

• Remote towers
• Training Opportunities
• Airspace Management (AMC)
• Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM)

Representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Kosovo, the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia attended the Summit where it was tackled the current and future challenges in air traffic management, the complexity and diversity of which will be increased more and more. The focus was on new technologies and services for the optimization of the European ATM Network.

This event was a result of the cooperation agreement signed at the beginning of this year by CCL and DFS Aviation Services to set the course for future cooperation in commercial business, primarily covering the areas in aviation training and consulting, as well as the implementation of joint projects for ANSPs and airports in South East Europe

CCL presented the implementation of ATCOs in-house training as well as the AMC portal, specially designed for air space management taking into consideration drone operations. DFS Aviation Services presented their activities related to the development of processes and Remote Tower Regulations, a technology considered to be the future of the aerodrome control. All participants agreed that the event is a positive momentum, hoping to grow into a traditional annual event where the experiences and ideas for regional cooperation will be exchanged.

Early Warning and Early Action

Hydro-meteorological and climate information on disaster risk reduction

Weather, climate and water extremes have hit with increasing frequency and magnitude in many parts of the world as a result of climate change. More than ever we are exposed to multiple climate-related hazards developing as a result of population growth, urbanization and environmental degradation.

The forecasts of what the weather will be like are not enough any longer. Today, the emphasis of the forecast is on impact-based forecast and early informing the public of what the weather will do, which is of vital importance to save lives and livelihoods. Yet one in three people are still not adequately covered by early warning systems.

Greater coordination between national meteorological and hydrological services, disaster management authorities and development agencies is fundamental to better prevention, preparedness and response.

COVID-19 has complicated the challenges facing society and weakened coping mechanisms. The pandemic has also highlighted that, in our inter-connected world, we need to embrace a truly coordinated multi-hazard, cross-border approach to make progress towards global goals on climate action, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.

Being prepared and able to act at the right time, in the right place, can save many lives and protect the livelihoods of communities everywhere, both now and in the future.

That is why the World Meteorological Day 23 March 2022 therefore has the theme “Early Warning and Early Action”, and spotlights the vital importance of Hydro-meteorological and Climate Information for Disaster Risk Reduction.

On 27.01.2022, in the premises of M-NAV, Air Navigation Services Provider (the building of Air Traffic Control), the Management Board of M-NAV led by Mr. Fahrudin Hamidi, President of the Management Board and ANS Executive Director, Mr. Vladko Krstevski – CNS Executive Director and Mr. Migjen Salmani – Executive Director of the Division for Financial and Legal Affairs, Development and Investments had the honor of welcoming Mr. Blagoj Bochvarski, the Minister of Transport and Communications and Mr. Bekim Rexhepi, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications.

During the visit, the Minister had an opportunity to look in on our operating premises and to become familiar with our work.

Mr. Hamidi, the President of the Management Board informed about the start of the preliminary activities for the construction commencement of the new building with a total area of 1.200 square metres where the new ATM system will be housed, thus ensuring an increase of our capacities and modernizing our Organization.

As two years of Covid -19 pandemic crisis has had a major negative impact on the overall air traffic, M-NAV being an Air Navigation Services Provider has seen a drastic revenue decrease, but the Company team with joint efforts has managed to overcome it and to improve our financial indicators.

M-NAV continues with modernization of the air navigation system  which will enable handling of a higher air traffic volume and provision of the most professional and safe air navigation services.

M-NAV GOJSC and Albcontrol participated in a bilateral meeting which was held on the 07th of December 2021 in M-NAV`s premises located at Bosfor,Mralino. The Members of the Management Board of M-NAV expressed their welcome and support to the Albcontrol delegation and gave strategic directions in terms of the expected level and the areas of cooperation between both ANSPs. Afterwards the meeting proceeded with the working group led by the CNS Department Directors and the Head of Systems from both parties present

The areas expected to be improved, improving the quality of services and the data exchange between both ANSP`s were issues discussed at the meeting. The status of the currently used infrastructure as well, possible technical solutions were discussed with an aim of improving the quality of the required communication connectivity, the possible formats of radar data which would be exchanged , as well as the possibility of integration of the OLDI data exchange into the new communication solution.

It was also agreed that a draft LoA for exchange of Data between Ohrid Radar and Porto Romano would be prepared

On November 4, 2021, a bilateral meeting was held with SMATSA colleagues in order to exchange experiences in the field of technologies for operational work, investments and modernization of our systems.

Regarding the Covid Impact, discussions took place about the current situation of our air traffic during this year 2021 and the financial situation, our plans and expectations for the next 2022 season, inclusion and implementation of the SECSI FRA initiative and changes in the LoA .

Air Traffic Controllers led by the President of the Management Board of “M-NAV” GOJSC, at the invitation of SECSI FRA Group of countries and of Albcontrol attended the regional meeting held in Tirana from 18th to 20th of October. The topic of the meeting was the South East Common Sky Initiative Free Route Airspace (SECSI FRA). The regional meeting was attended by representatives from Air Navigation Services Providers from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania.

The above-mentioned meeting was of immense importance for M-NAV because it formalized the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia and of Albania to this Initiative. What gave additional importance to this meeting is that it was a good opportunity to discuss operational issues related to this Initiative which offers airspace users significant benefits along the South East Axis by delivering the shortest route options, and its benefits were subject of discussion at the meeting. Also, it was discussed about the constraining moment in the functioning of our system which does not process FPL, so there are three points for outbound traffic towards Tirana.

Further, at the said meeting, another meeting with Mr. Hantin Bonati, General Manager of Albcontrol, took place with whom it was discussed about reaching final, formal solution for delegating a part of the Airspace over Lake Ohrid for meeting M-NAV`s needs in providing air navigation services by ATC Ohrid, also establishing a direct telecommunication link between ATC Ohrid and Albcontrol was considered.

M-NAV continues to attend regional meetings throughout the region with an aim of efficient implementation of this Initiative.