You know that feeling of being stuck in a never-ending security line or circling endlessly before landing? Well, those frustrating airport experiences may soon be a thing of the past for travelers in the Greek capital. DFS Aviation Services and Athens International Airport have teamed up to redesign the city’s Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) airspace, aiming to make your journeys smoother, safer, and more eco-friendly.
The Road to Optimization
A Team Effort
This ambitious project is a true collaboration between experts from across Europe. DFS Aviation Services, a subsidiary of the German air navigation service provider DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, has been selected to spearhead the effort. But they won’t be going it alone – a large team of air traffic management gurus from DFS itself and the Dutch subcontractors to70 and NLR will lend their specialized knowledge.
A Phased Approach
The work is already underway, with overlay Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures for Athens Airport (LGAV) designed and put into operation within the existing TMA. But that’s just the beginning. The next phase is where the real magic happens: a full airspace redesign, validation, and implementation of a new concept for the Athinai TMA.
Safety First
Of course, any changes to airspace operations must prioritize safety above all else. That’s why a comprehensive safety assessment is included in the project scope, ensuring that every adjustment meets the highest standards for protecting passengers, crew, and those on the ground.
The Tangible Benefits
Efficiency Meets Sustainability
By optimizing the TMA airspace and airport operations, this initiative aims to strike a perfect balance between efficiency and environmental responsibility. Reduced workloads for air traffic controllers, enhanced capacity, and a smaller carbon footprint are just a few of the tangible benefits you can expect to see by mid-2026 and beyond.
A Smoother Journey
But what does this all mean for you, the traveler? In short, a smoother, more streamlined experience from start to finish. Imagine gliding through security with ease, boarding your flight without delays, and descending into Athens without those frustrating holding patterns. It’s a travel dream come true!
Mr. Alexandros Aravanis, Chief Operations Officer at AIA is fully on-board with this assignment: “The collaboration between HASP, AIA and DAS will ensure and accelerate the PBN implementation in Athens, under the frame of a greater airspace re-design, in partnership and with the active engagement of all involved stakeholders. It is expected that the operational improvements deriving from the PBN procedures and the new airspace concepts, will optimize flight operations, will improve on time performance, at reduced environmental impact thus, contributing significantly to the ultimate task for sustainable flight operations.”
Mr George Saounatsos, Governor of HASP is delighted with this project kicking-off with DAS: “Together, working as one team, we can unleash the full potential of Athens International Airport and we are looking forward to having an experienced partner on board.”.
“It’s phantastic to have the opportunity executing this important project for AIA and HASP. We have a great team working on it and we’re confident that it’ll be a big success for the Greek society. », says Andreas Pötzsch, Managing Director of DAS.
So, keep an eye on the skies, Athens! With this ambitious airspace redesign, your journeys are about to get a whole lot smoother. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even have time for an extra Greek coffee or a quick spin around the Acropolis before your next flight.
