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Smooth implementation of the ATHENIAN project for the Redesign of the Athens Terminal Airspace

A collaborative EU co-funded initiative is set to modernize airspace operations and deliver environmental benefits.

ATHENIAN (“ATHENs termInal Area redesign & pbN”) is a project set to redesign the Athens Terminal Manoeuvering Area (TMA) and implement satellite Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures for aircraft arrivals and departures at Athens International Airport. The project has a duration of five (5) years and will contribute to the more effective operation and management of the Single European Sky (SES).

The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility – Transport Sector and specifically SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) framework. As such the project is implemented by a collaborating group of expert partners comprising of the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP), AEGEAN, SKY express, and EUROCONTROL, coordinated by Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA), under the support of EU/CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency) and the EYSSAE Unit (Special Coordination Service for Planning, Evaluation & Implementation – Mechanism CEF) of the Hellenic Ministry of Economy & Finance.

The aim is to establish a fully PBN-based airspace concept to align with EU regulation 2018/1048, and the European Air Traffic Management (ATM) Master Plan. 

The ATHENIAN project was launched in January 2023 and is planned for completion by the end of 2027, in a phased manner. In the course of the project, in addition to the project partners, special issues are examined in collaboration with key contributors such as the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), Hellenic Air Force (HAF), IATA, AOC (Airline Operators Committee) at Athens Intl. Airport, RYANAIR, General Aviation Users, while the representatives of the Local Communities are informed. Additionally, expert services are provided by specialized contractors, such as ElPho (Elliniki Photogrammetriki EPE), and DAS (DFS Aviation Services GmbH). 

The first phase was completed in January 2024 and includes a full topographical obstacle survey and the development of “Overlay PBN” arrival and departure procedures in the existing TMA setup. 

The second phase began in April 2024, for the redesign of the Athens TMA alongside a new set of PBN procedures, while a major milestone was reached in February 2025 with the delivery of the Concept of Operations (ConOps). 

According to all participating entities - HASP, AIA, AEGEAN and SKY express - the advanced and efficient design of the new PBN arrival and departure procedures is expected to upgrade the efficiency of air traffic management, with reduced radio communications and aircraft vectoring techniques, while at the same time benefiting the European Air Traffic Management network and reducing the environmental footprint of our flights. It is important that this project is the result of collaboration and consultation with all stakeholders and entities that will benefit from its implementation.

As per Eurocontrol, ATHENIAN project offers a framework for a complete redesign of the Terminal Manoeuvring Area (TMA) structure, this in a collaborative manner between the Airport key Stakeholders and including EUROCONTROL and its Network Manager role. EUROCONTROL is supporting with expertise on TMA efficiency metrics and TMA design review, PBN fleet capability and validation, and link with runway capacity. The ATHENIAN project, with the targeted operational improvements for arrivals and departures, will also directly benefit the European ATM network.