EVAIR

EUROCONTROL voluntary ATM incident reporting

We provide a common platform for State air navigation service providers and aircraft operators to comply with air traffic management safety requirements when exchanging safety-related information.

THIS IS PART OF

Through the EVAIR reporting process, we gather data about and analyse a wide spectrum of safety concerns, incidents and accidents. The topics we see most frequently and focus on as part of our bulletin include runway incursion, level-bust, call-sign similarities, loss of communication and drones.

In the summers of 2011 to 2016, we saw a sizeable increase in occurrence reports citing drones.  Drone operations are expected to grow exponentially and we expect that the number of reported safety incidents reports involving drones will soar in the future.  At present, not all drone-related occurrences are reported and comparatively few drone operators are registered or identifiable. Rules of the air and rights of way are unknown concepts to operators without an aviation background. As a result, we will not be able to gather information on drone operations until processes for drone registration or identification are in place. If it were possible to obtain information from drone operators, the data could be shared confidentially with relevant ANSPs and commercial airspace users and so help mitigate the safety issues potentially caused by drones.

How EVAIR works

EVAIR is the first example of voluntary ATM incident data collection at pan-European level. It was developed to enable a proactive approach to ATM and Air Navigation Service (ANS) safety.

The collaboration with ANSPs and AOs, who are actively involved in the reporting, enhances EVAIR’s contribution to the improvement of ATM safety.

The incident reporting, data collection and feedback processes rely on ongoing effective collaboration between airlines and their associations (IATA, ERAA, IACA, ELFA), Air Navigation Service Provides (ANSPs) and EUROCONTROL.

In this process, EUROCONTROL facilitates dialogue and the exchange of data between airlines and ANSPs; it shares information and makes it available for stakeholders to support a preventive and proactive approach to safety in the form of active feedback, quick fixes for problems and the sharing of lessons learned.

Reporting process

EVAIR processes ATM reports provided by AOs, their associations (International Air Transport Association, International Air Carriers Association, European Regions Airlines Organisation, and European Low Fares Airline Association) and ANSPs.

Reports focus on ATM-related safety issues. The EVAIR experts analyse the reports, classify them and enter data in the EVAIR database.

AOs, related associations and ANSPs can submit reports to EVAIR by sending an e-mail to the EVAIR Support Team.

Feedback procedure

EVAIR facilitates the feedback procedures by enabling connections between AOs and ANSPs and vice versa. The majority of the requests for feedback are usually initiated by the airlines, but the communication channels are open two-ways so that ANSPs can also initiate requests for feedback.

If data providers want feedback on the report submitted, they should specify this in the e-mail message or in the report attached to that message.

Safety reports, statistics and customized analyses

Since 2006, the EVAIR Team has produced/compiled statistics based on data collected from various categories of ATM events. These data are also used for safety and customised analysis, safety performance indicator identification, risk assessment and other purposes consistent with safety oversight and safety management activities. Customised analyses for EVAIR stakeholders are available upon request. To this end, kindly contact us.

EVAIR safety bulletin

The EVAIR safety bulletin provides safety-related information, including different types of data received and analysed during the reporting period.  The bulletin is issued twice a year and sent to all stakeholders and other users who have subscribed to it. Bulletins focus on level busts, runway incursions, missed approaches/go arounds (reasons), airborne collision avoidance system resolution advisory (ACAS RA), call sign confusion, loss of communication, wake turbulence, laser interference, remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones), GPS outages, etc. You can also download the previous editions of the Safety bulletin, by clicking on the “download” button below.

Background

EVAIR’s activity covers all European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) airspace as well as some of the neighbouring airspace outside the ECAC region (e.g. Middle East, North Africa, Russian Federation, etc.).

Reports focus on ATM-related safety issues. The EVAIR experts analyse the reports, classify them and enter data in the EVAIR database. You can submit reports to EVAIR by sending an e-mail to the EVAIR Support Team.

Over 125 airlines currently provide their ATM-related incident data to EVAIR; these airlines account for over 70% of European air traffic. ANSPs provide feedback on reports received and in many cases remedial actions are instigated much quicker than through the ‘traditional’ mandatory reporting mechanisms.

Partners

More than 300 Aircraft Operators, all Europe’s ANSPs as well as other ANSPs from the Middle East, North Africa and the Russian Federation cooperate with EVAIR.

They submit initial occurrence reports or give feedback on EVAIR’s reports. EVAIR works closely with the international organisations ICAO and EASA, certain aircraft manufacturers as well as with aircraft and professional associations, such as IATA, ERA (European Regions Airline Association) and IACA as well as with the IFALPA and ECA (European Cockpit Association).

Confidentiality policy

EVAIR is committed to protecting the confidentiality of all data received.  Safety-related information consisting of safety reports or supporting messages (including names, pictures, video and audio records) is confidential and secured within the EVAIR database.

The information cannot be used in the interests of individuals, insurance companies or for other purposes not consistent with the EVAIR scope and objectives.

EVAIR is not allowed to disseminate original safety reports or parts thereof or to provide information received from the originator to third parties. Disclosure is possible only if written approval (including email messages) for the dissemination of such information is granted.

EUROCONTROL's analysts commit to respecting a confidentiality declaration and they sign a non-disclosure agreement with data providers (the "Parties") before they start analysing the incidents provided. This agreement defines the rights and constraints for the Parties to use data and information provided by EVAIR during and after the collaboration.