Reduced control zones and expanded control areas in southern Sweden. These are two of four proposals in LFV's review to modernize lower airspace. The final report has now been submitted to the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure.
In September 2021, the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration (LFV) received a government assignment to conduct a review of the lower airspace (below 2,900 meters). As part of the review, LFV has developed proposals for an alternative design of the airspace structure.
The review has been conducted in close collaboration with relevant authorities and stakeholders who are affected by how the lower airspace is designed. The proposals are based on trade-offs between a large number of perspectives such as flight safety, environmental efficiency, accessibility for all stakeholders and cost-effectiveness. LFV now presents four proposals that contribute to modernizing Swedish airspace.
Proposal 1 – Control zones with airspace class D
Airport control zones are being changed from airspace class C to airspace class D. Airspace class D provides increased accessibility for essential air traffic and general aviation while reducing the risk of disruption to scheduled traffic. Applying airspace class D in control zones would constitute harmonisation with large parts of the rest of Europe.
Proposal 2 – Reduced control zones
The horizontal extent of airport control zones should be reduced, unless there are special reasons. Smaller control zones increase the proportion of uncontrolled airspace, which means increased accessibility to airspace for unmanned aviation, essential air traffic and general aviation.
Proposal 3 – Extended control area in southern Sweden
The Swedish control area is being expanded in southern Sweden down to an altitude of 1,350 meters from the current 2,900 meters. The expanded control area will have airspace class E and additional transponder requirements will apply in the area. This change creates an airspace where scheduled traffic can conduct safe approaches in an environmentally efficient manner, while maintaining accessibility for the Armed Forces and other users of this airspace.
Proposal 4 – Review of the design of terminal areas
An expanded control area in southern Sweden provides the conditions for a review aimed at adjusting the design of terminal areas. Smaller terminal areas are beneficial for the Armed Forces' freedom of action and access to the airspace, but also for the accessibility of general aviation. For a review to be possible, new controls and principles for the design of terminal areas are needed.
– The proposed design creates better conditions for flying safely and environmentally efficiently to Swedish controlled airports, but the proposals also mean increased accessibility for unmanned aviation, essential air traffic and general aviation and are a harmonization with large parts of Europe, says Ann Persson Grivas, Director General of LFV.
Background
In May 2018, LFV was commissioned by the government to conduct an in-depth study of the design of Swedish airspace. The purpose of the study was, among other things, to develop a strategy that could form the basis for a review of the airspace.
In September 2021, LFV received the government assignment that is now being finalised and which involves proposals for an alternative design of the lower airspace in Sweden.
According to the press release.
