THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FREE ROUTE AIRSPACE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKIYE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GREEN DEAL IN EUROPE'S AIR TRANSPORT
THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FREE ROUTE AIRSPACE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKIYE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GREEN DEAL IN EUROPE'S AIR TRANSPORT

Summary/Abstract: The development of air transport in Europe is trending towards sustainable growth. Since 2012, nine functional airspace blocks have been operating in Europe, fulfilling the requirements of the legislative framework for the creation of the Single European Sky (SES). The idea of their creation is related to the implementation of a system of measures to ensure sufficient capacity to service the constantly increasing number of flights over Europe, to reduce delays, to improve the safety and profitability of air navigation services, which is expected to reduce the negative impact on the environment. In view of the location of DANUBE FAB, which is located on the air route between Europe and Asia, there are real opportunities for its expansion to neighbouring countries. The Republic of Türkiye is a potential participant in the process of expanding the neighbouring functional airspace blocks bordering its territory – these are DANUBE FAB and BLUE MED FAB. In view of the direction of the main air traffic flows, the option to join DANUBE FAB is the most practical applicability. On the other hand, the Free Route Airspace initiative opens up real opportunities for the optimal implementation of measures to reduce the distance traveled by aviation operators' aircraft when conducting flights between Europe and Asia. The logic is that the shorter distance will lead to savings in fuel consumption, resource of aviation equipment, as well as to a reduction in the negative impact on the environment. This achieves one of the objectives of the Green Deal in the field of air transport in Europe, which is related to the organization and use of airspace, through the implementation of the Free Route Airspace initiative. The inclusion of the Republic of Türkiye in the Free Route Airspace initiative will create conditions for the real achievement of the objectives of the European Green Deal in Southeast Europe in the field of air transport, as the economic advantages of establishing a "free airspace" (the so-called "free airspace"). Free Route Airspace (FRA) can be felt after its introduction. This article explores the development of the concept of Free Route Airspace (FRA) in Türkiye and its potential to reduce air traffic pollution in line with the objectives of the Green Deal. Through the analysis of traffic data from 2020-2023 and route simulations, the environmental benefits of FRA were assessed. The results show that its full implementation can lead to a 20 % reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional systems. These findings highlight the role of the FRA as a key tool for achieving sustainable solutions in air transport.

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