Minister: UK Offers Support For Airspace Initiative

February 13, 2015

The U.K. Department for Transport [DfT] offered its “full support” of the Bermuda Airspace initiative, Minister of Tourism Development and Transport Shawn Crockwell said today [Feb 13] in the House of Assembly.

“Bermuda’s airspace is of strategic and operational importance to the United States National Airspace System [NAS] and is presently controlled by the FAA,” the Minister said.

“For Bermuda to assume control of its airspace, we must move from the basic Air Traffic Control Tower function currently in place to a more dynamic operation.

“There are significant costs in doing so that involve planning and execution related to the installation of automation systems; equipment and infrastructure upgrades; management; staffing; training; and the expansion of existing facilities.”

In his statement today, the Minister said that following their recent presentation in London, the UK DfT “offered its full support of the Bermuda Airspace initiative, acknowledging that the UK anticipated Bermuda would look to assume management of its own Terminal Airspace from the FAA, when it was willing and able to do so.”

Minister Crockwell added, “By assuming management of our airspace and expanding its modernization through PBN, we are able to create more career paths and job opportunities for Bermudians in what is an exciting and fast-paced industry.

“With the support of the UK, our next step is to move forward in close cooperation with the FAA through the comprehensive road map provided in the Boeing Feasibility Study.

“The objective is to have expanded PBN operations in support of the anticipated increase in flight operations surrounding the upcoming America’s Cup events. The UK DfT has asked that we continue to keep them abreast as we move forward.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform this Honourable House of a meeting I attended in London in December of last year 2014 to present to officials from the U.K. Department for Transport, the summary findings of the Bermuda Approach Control and Airspace Modernization Feasibility Study.

Mr. Speaker, in December, 2013, the Department of Airport Operations [DAO] entered into an agreement with Boeing Digital Aviation, a business division of aviation giants, Boeing, to study the management and further modernization of Bermuda’s Airspace.

The study, completed in August of last year, outlined a multi-year plan that would see Bermuda collaborating with the FAA to become a certified Air Navigation Service Provider [ANSP]. This certification would allow Bermuda to expand its area of airspace for Air Traffic Control management services from its present 5-mile radius, out to as much as 50 miles and potentially out further at a much later stage.

The study identified opportunities to accelerate the already fast pace Bermuda has taken in modernizing its air traffic management system by developing Performance Based Navigation [PBN] procedures for arriving and departing traffic. This enhanced modernization shall enable airlines to realize greater efficiencies and improved operational safety. Many advanced types of commercial aircraft, including those manufactured by Boeing and flown here every day, stand to optimize their in-flight navigational performance capabilities when traversing through Bermuda’s advanced airspace

Mr. Speaker, this collaboration with Boeing represents the latest example of a continuous commitment to enhancing and modernizing the airspace surrounding the L.F. Wade International Airport. In 2011, the Airport implemented the use of Global Positioning System [GPS] technology to create more precise, safer, and fuel-efficient landing approaches for aircraft arriving in Bermuda, which at the time, placed it in line with a comprehensive overhaul initiative by the FAA to modernize America’s aging and congestive national airspace.

The initiative, known as NextGen, is designed to make air travel to and within the United States, more convenient and dependable, while ensuring flights are as safe, secure and hassle-free as possible. The plan ensures better air traffic control, greater fuel savings, and enhanced operational safety. These are factors that are all paramount in today’s aviation environment.

Mr. Speaker, the 2011 project was followed by the first-phase completion in November 2013, of a multi-million dollar project that required the adjustment of the approach angle over Ferry Reach to Runway 1-2. This was necessary in order to comply with newly-introduced regulatory safety requirements as specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO pronounced “I-K-O”]. You’ll recall Mr. Speaker that the project also included the installation of enhanced taxiway and runway signage; and high intensity, L-E-D runway centerline lighting.

Mr. Speaker, these recent capital investments have laid the foundation for us to move forward with this collaborative undertaking with Boeing to further modernize our airspace and increase the area over which Bermuda-based Air Traffic Controllers will manage. This latest initiative will usher in the introduction of PBN procedures for both arriving and departing Bermuda traffic. Once again, GPS navigation technology will be used to ensure that aircraft utilizing Bermuda’s airspace fly more efficiently; more economically; more precisely; and with greater operational safety.

Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s airspace is of strategic and operational importance to the United States National Airspace System [NAS] and is presently controlled by the FAA. For Bermuda to assume control of its airspace, we must move from the basic Air Traffic Control Tower function currently in place to a more dynamic operation. There are significant costs in doing so that involve planning and execution related to the installation of automation systems; equipment and infrastructure upgrades; management; staffing; training; and the expansion of existing facilities. Concurrently, by providing certified Air Traffic Management services for users of our airspace, Bermuda is entitled to recoup the associated costs via user charges and implement a continuous improvement plan for its air navigation infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, in December of last year, I traveled to London accompanied by the Airport General Manager, Mr. Aaron Adderley, the Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. Thomas Dunstan, Air Operations Manager, Mr. Bob Withers and a senior management official from Boeing-Jeppesen; to present to officials from the U.K. Department for Transport, the summary findings of the Bermuda Approach Control and Airspace Modernization Feasibility Study.

The U.K. delegation included the Deputy Director for the Department for Transport and the CEO of Airspace Safety Support International [ASSI pronounced “ASS-SEE”], a subsidiary of the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority responsible for overseeing aviation regulatory compliance by Overseas Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that following our presentation, the UK DfT offered its full support of the Bermuda Airspace initiative, acknowledging that the UK anticipated Bermuda would look to assume management of its own Terminal Airspace from the FAA, when it was willing and able to do so.

Mr. Speaker, by assuming management of our airspace and expanding its modernization through PBN, we are able to create more career paths and job opportunities for Bermudians in what is an exciting and fast-paced industry. With the support of the UK, our next step is to move forward in close cooperation with the FAA through the comprehensive road map provided in the Boeing Feasibility Study. The objective is to have expanded PBN operations in support of the anticipated increase in flight operations surrounding the upcoming America’s Cup events. The UK DfT has asked that we continue to keep them abreast as we move forward.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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Comments (28)

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  1. Terry says:

    OH LORD!!!!

    Um gonna need to buy more rum and tons of popcorn for this one.

    Can’t wait for the wind to hit the ‘sails’.

    Mr. Burt gonna have a filed day with one.

    Verz dee money cumin from.

    I need a double.

  2. 3rdeye says:

    This actually sounds like a good initiative. The creation of jobs is an exciting prospect. My only question though is will this allow us to charge for airspace and, if so, would Britain or Bermuda benefit more from its revenue?

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      It is technically our airspace, much like our allocations of satellite space that we have currently leased. The revenues would come to Bermuda. It will take quite a bit of technical training for airspace management for staffing, so you can expect a high upfront cost, it will also require attention to equipment upkeep and upgrading, but it has the potential to be an excellent source of revenue once up and running

      • Cottereaux says:

        I don’t understand this one. What exactly are the “revenues” and the costs? Does this mean costs for flights landing in Bermuda will increase? Said increase to be passed onto tourists in the form of increased ticket prices making a trip to Bermuda more expensive?

        If Bermuda charges flights for simply flying through our airspace, planes will simply change course to avoid Bermuda and fly in cost free airspace.

        Has any plane to Bermuda ever missed finding Bermuda?

        • mixitup says:

          If Bermuda charges flights for simply flying through our airspace, planes will simply change course to avoid Bermuda and fly in cost free airspace.

          The Airlines have to fly through someones airspace, due to the need to be within 2 hours of a landing stip. So most MIA, MEX, to Europe and Northeast to Caribbean/ South America will likely use BDA Airspace.

          • Longtail says:

            Mixitup – your second paragraph is what it is all about…. at least someone understands!!!!

        • Charles Dean says:

          What other air route would the planes fly through? Is there a new land mass close to Bermuda that I don’t know about? Air routes are designed around navigation points and the last I checked we were the only point in the North Atlantic. Remember, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Straight lines = less fuel = less cost for airlines. Less fuel costs are the driving force for airlines!

          • Yes2 says:

            Not strictly correct. The shortest distance between two points on a sphere is a great circle.

  3. Navin Johnson says:

    Mr Burt should be thrilled with this one as he said we should separate from the UK so we could take care of our airspace and charge more…..also Mr Bean has air traffic experience so it could be a job opportunity for him if he could pass the various tests…doubtful

  4. Smh says:

    Finally! This is good news. As a modern and advanced nation it’s time we take control of our own borders and airspace.

    • Terry says:

      Whoo yoo gunna send up to protect the air space.

      Bermuda Ariel Media…………..pun)

  5. Warwick Lizard says:

    Jobs is good but how many jobs and how much will this cost? What’s wrong with the present arrangements? Will it mean more fees and ticket taxes? Who’s gonna pay?

  6. Yes I says:

    Good initiative, poor location. Airlines will just circumnavigate the island’s airspace to avoid paying fees. The actual airspace that we have sovereign rights over is not as large as many people know. Unless New York is to give us control of the Oceanic control then this exercise may prove more costly than beneficial.

    • mixitup says:

      Bermuda is not a poor location, if anything we have the best location. It’s an Airstip in the middle of a heavily traveled oceanic corridor. MIA-Europe, Northeast USA to Caribbean & South America. FAA Rules require 2 Engine Aircraft to be within a certain distance to land, so certain TransAtlantic flights will always hug close to BDA.

      • Longtail says:

        To provide this service Bermuda needs a 24/7 airfield, not one that closes down once the BA flight departs each night. The Airport Fire Service and other support facilities have moved to provide this necessary 24/7 cover…. this cost will be more than offset by the additional revenues received from aircraft passing through our air space.

  7. Terry says:

    Good point ‘Yes I’.

    Remember that we are not an independent nation.

    Rule Britania.

    Sucks eh?

  8. Trudy Trees says:

    Do you think the OBA or any government for that matter will allow another airline to travel to Bermuda from the UK. The monopoly that BA has has gone on long enough. It’s ridiculously expensive to fly direct to London from here!

    • Yes2 says:

      The high fares charged by BA are not of their making. The reason they are so high is because of the UK’s policy of having the highest Airport Departure Tax in the world. Smart travelers now make a short flight out of UK to connect to their long haul flights as the tax is based on distance travelled. Amsterdam has a minimal departure tax and so does France and Eire. I know it can be tedious to have several sectors, but it saves money.
      As to the airspace project, I wonder how much we have had to pay Boeing so far for them to tell us that it is a good idea to embrace something which we get for free at the moment. The only benefit is a few jobs several years down de road, as it takes many years to select, train and certify Controllers for approach control functions. In the interim, we will have to employ competent non-Bermudian controllers. If that is a good enough reason, so be it. All the other benefits are achievable without taking control of the enhanced airspace.

      • Bermudian. says:

        Home work, home work, second not First.Chad tops the list. Just saying.

      • John Males says:

        As a Brit with Bermudian relatives I would dearly love to travel to the island less expensively than is possible with BA. If there’s a cheaper way, via Amsterdam or Paris, and a second transfer, I want to know about it. Every time I’ve investigated coming via New York or Toronto there’s hardly a penny in it either way. I’ve always wondered if there was collusion somewhere.

      • Raymond Ray says:

        Why is it we see flights from England flying over / near us daily to other Islands in the Caribbean yet refusing to stop here as was done for countless years in the past?
        B.A. flew to Bermuda then onto Nassau, Jamaica ending in Panama why has this discontinued? This I would believe will help Bermuda as well as other islands to our south…

  9. oleander says:

    Trudy trees, this has got nothing to do with BA and route licences. It’s all about air traffic services. And if NY is providing the service now for free, why change it? How many million will it cost for how many jobs?

  10. On de Hill says:

    Terry, you need to have a better memory. This initiative was started under the PLP Government and it featured in a PLP Thrown Speech when Burt was junior Finance Mnister. Just shows your ignorance!

  11. Riptide says:

    This is madness. There is no possible way this can be justified in any reasonable cost-benefit analysis. New York center provides approach control service for Bermuda free of charge. Why would we want to change that? How many thousands have been spent on this Boeing study and how many millions are proposed being spent for how many jobs? So more ticket taxes making it even more expensive to fly to Bermuda. Who is proposing this lunacy? Does anyone involved have a vested interest in the outcome?

    • Yes2 says:

      The only winners are the shareholders of Boeing-Jeppesen.

      • Yes I says:

        Bermuda has always been the playground for hustlers selling their ideas to the less informed. How will the Bermudian children benefit from this initiative, because I just don’t see how the revenue will be worth the investment.