ATHENS / MUNICH — DFS Aviation Services, in cooperation with Athens International Airport and the Hellenic Air Navigation Service Provider, has progressed its airspace modernisation project with the development and implementation of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures.

The project forms part of a broader redesign of the Athens Terminal Manoeuvring Area (TMA) aimed at improving operational efficiency and capacity.

PHASED AIRSPACE MODERNISATION APPROACH

The first phase of the project, completed in March 2024, introduced PBN procedures within the existing TMA. These procedures are now in operational use.

The second phase focuses on a full redesign of the Athens TMA to support changes in airspace structure and traffic management.

CAPACITY AND OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES

According to DFS Aviation Services, the redesigned airspace is intended to enable parallel independent runway operations, increase capacity and reduce delays, while also lowering workload for air traffic controllers and flight crews.

The project also aims to improve environmental performance while maintaining operational safety standards.

SIMULATION AND VALIDATION

A key milestone was reached in March 2026 with the completion of a real-time simulation conducted in Munich. Fourteen air traffic controllers from the Hellenic ANSP participated in 25 simulation exercises to evaluate the proposed procedures.

Feedback from these exercises will inform further refinements ahead of implementation.