The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) was asked to investigate how to optimise airspace use in the Netherlands through the application of FUA, Flexible Use of Airspace, by military airspace with civil users. Airspace use in the Netherlands has been coming under increased pressure as a result of the capacity and complexity of Schiphol airport operations, the development of regional airport(s), the advent of new airspace users (e.g. drone operations), and the more demanding military training requirements. FUA is one of the buidling blochs of the Airspace Redesign programma, which can help meet the needs of all airspace users.
Despite introducing FUA above FL245 in 2020, inefficiencies remain below FL245. Flights are planned around military training areas but often are allowed to fly through them by means of tactical route changes. These tactical optimisations do generate some fuel and emission benefits, but fall short of their potential as the flight was planned for more trackmiles, and has taken fuel on board for the longer route.
One of the goals of the study was to create more insight in the current operation. Airspace users have asked about instance instances where conditional routes (CDRs) were unavailable for planning, while the corresponding TRAs were open.
The study has not yet brought the subject to a implementation ready maturity level. Within KDC next steps for the development of FUA are being contemplated. A potential next step is to focus on the integration of airspace planning processes and D-1 capacity planning processes.