Eurocontrol Planning for Sustained Expansion in VLJ Market

In order to understand how VLJs will impact air traffic in Europe, EUROCONTROL is preparing a simulation that will assess the impact of VLJ operations as part of a plan to smoothly integrate the new craft into a complex air traffic control system. The simulation, carried out this year, will be one of the first tasks of a new coalition – the European VLJ Integration Platform – consisting of manufacturers and operators as well as the European Business Aircraft Association and set up by the agency.
The overall mission of VIP will be ensuring the expected growth in VLJs in the European airspace can be handled safely and efficiently. The European VLJs Integration Platform (VIP) will ultimately propose solutions for integrating VLJs into the European air traffic system.
The number of Very Light Jets (VLJs) is set to soar in Europe, with up to 100 additional aircraft coming into service each year and 700 by 2015, according to recent research from EUROCONTROL. The agency's studies show that there are about 440 VLJs currently on order for operation in Europe. Of these, at least 230 are expected for delivery by the end of 2010. The majority of VLJs are expected to be used for air-taxi type work. Typically, this would result in each aircraft making an average of two to three flights a day, adding 200 to 300 extra flights per day each year.
"The growth in VLJs adds a significant extra dimension to the complexity of air traffic in Europe," said Alex Hendriks, EUROCONTROL's seputy director of ATM Strategies. "VLJs have very different speeds and cruising levels from current commercial jet aircraft, so we need to conduct an impact assessment to see how they will affect the network as a whole. We also need to assess the technical requirements for onboard systems, including examining whether there is a requirement for Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems." EUROCONTROL sees difficulties in adapting some of the fully-integrated avionics systems currently employed in certain VLJs to particular navigation requirements.
An initial comparison of published VLJ performance and that of common commercial jet aircraft, said the agency, indicates that for some of the phases of flight, the VLJs have very different speeds and cruising levels. For that reason, it is likely that VLJs will have a considerable impact on at least the take-off and en-route parts of the network.
The plan comes as the European Commission adopted an agenda for the integration of business and general aviation into the European Union air transportation policy, something the European business aviation community – through the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) – has wanted for some time. The agenda was set after the Commission conducted a thorough study of the sector, quantified its value and identified its challenges.
The Commission will now focus on high priority measures such as improving data gathering, screening legislation, and integrating general and business aviation into capacity optimization initiatives.
“We are very much encouraged by this recent development,” said Eric Mandemaker, EBAA’s CEO. “The EBAA appreciates the amount of our input we find reflected in this document, and we are looking forward to continuing our close cooperation with the commission to ensure the balanced and constructive integration of business aviation into EU policy.”
Vice-President Jacques Barrot, Commissioner for transport, has acknowledged the value of non-commercial aviation, noting that it is a large source of employment, expertise, technology and revenues.
“Business aviation is already one of the fastest growing sectors in Europe at around 10 percent per annum, and the introduction of VLJs will add to this healthy growth,” said EBAA. “The EBAA feels that a forum such as VIP is a positive development for business aviation in Europe. We are convinced that the services that these additional air-taxi operators provide will only enhance the business travel industry in the region and the travel options open to customers.”