ATM
Air Traffic Management
Air Traffic Management
Air Traffic Control Services
We provide Air Traffic Control Services to ensure a safe, orderly and efficient flow of air traffic. Said services include the Aerodrome Control Service, Approach Control Service and Area Control Service.
The task of Air Traffic Control is to prevent collisions between aircraft, as well as between aircraft and obstacles on the aerodrome maneuvering area.
Aerodrome Control Service
Aerodrome Control Service controls all landings, take-offs and maneuvers on the aerodrome maneuvering area as well as flights in the aerodrome control zone.
The aerodrome control zone extends vertically from the ground up to a specified upper limit and laterally at a minimum of 9.3 km (5 NM) from the aerodrome in the direction of aircraft arrivals.
Approach Control Service
Flights that arrive at or depart from an airport are provided with Approach Control Service. It connects Area Control Service and Aerodrome Control Service. Competent units are located in Tirana Area Control Center.
Approach Control Service is provided based on surveillance data.
Area Control Service
Flights beyond the scope of aerodrome and approach control fall within the scope of Area Control Service. That area is vertically divided into sectors for the purpose of providing a safe and efficient service.
Area Control Service is provided by Tirana Area Control Center (ACC).
Flight Information Service
Through Flight Information Service, we give advice and information needed to fly safely, orderly and efficiently. That service is available to all flights subject to air traffic control as well as to other flights with which radio communication is established.
Competent ATC units are responsible for the provision of Flight Information Service in Tirana FIR.
Alerting Service
Alerting Service is provided for the purpose of notifying competent organizations about aircraft in need of search and rescue. As required, we also assist said organizations in aircraft search and rescue missions.
Alerting Service is provided by competent ATC units within their areas of responsibility.
Alerting service is provided for:
- all aircraft subject to air traffic control;
- other aircraft which have filed a flight plan or are otherwise known to competent ATS units;
- aircraft which are in danger of unlawful interference or subject to unlawful interference.
Airspace Management
The airspace above the territory of the Republic of Albania is the Tirana Flight Information Region (FIR) and it is divided into sectors.
The aim of Airspace Management is to achieve the maximum airspace efficiency by taking into account the needs of civil and military users, in order to reduce aircraft delays and distance traveled, which will lower fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Air Traffic Flow Management
A safe, orderly and efficient flow of air traffic is the main function of Air Traffic Flow Management. To achieve that, we must ensure the optimum efficiency of Air Traffic Control capacities and compatibility between traffic demand and declared capacity of relevant Air Traffic Control units.
Air Traffic Flow Management is effected at the strategic, pre-tactical and tactical level.
The operational Flow Management Position (Tirana FMP) is established at Tirana Area Control Center. Tirana FMP cooperates with the Network Manager Operations Center (EUROCONTROL) at the tactical level. That way, whenever needed, aircraft operators can adjust departure times, change routes and flight profiles, which results in delay reduction for airlines and passengers.
We cooperate with the Network Manager (EUROCONTROL) at all ATFM levels. At the strategic level, we assess capacities and make changes to the route network and other airspace structures. At the pre-tactical level, we prepare daily plans, inform aircraft operators and relevant ATC units about measures coming into force. That is how we optimize current capacities and reduce delays and costs.
Tactically, we work on a single goal every day, which is to ensure enough capacity to meet the traffic demand. At the post-operational level, we analyze what was done and suggest measures for further optimization.