Free Route Airspace (FRA)
DANUBE FAB has played a key role in the progressive implementation of Free Route Airspace (FRA) in South-East Europe. FRA enables airspace users to plan and fly preferred trajectories without the constraints of a fixed route network, contributing to improved flight efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation timeline:
- October 2013 – Night-time FRA was implemented nationally in Romania and Bulgaria.
- August 2015 – Cross-border night FRA established between Romania and Hungary (Inter-FAB).
- March 2017 – Night FRA extended to include Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.
- December 2018 – Slovakia joined the night FRA operations.
- November 2019 – 24-hour FRA implemented in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary; Slovakia continued night FRA.
- January 2021 – Slovakia transitioned to a 24-hour FRA.
- February 2022 – The Republic of Moldova joined the 24-hour FRA; a cross-border interface with the Baltic FRA was established via Slovakia.
- February 2023—The Czech Republic joined the 24-hour FRA. FRA is now operational 24/7 across Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Republic of Moldova, and the Czech Republic.
DANUBE FAB and its regional partners support the development of South-East Europe Free Route Airspace (SEE FRA)—one of Europe's largest cross-border FRA blocks.
