Research Article

Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects

Volume: 2 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects

Abstract

The Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) concept represents a key evolution in modern airspace management, aiming to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability through coordinated civil–military use of airspace. This paper examines the FUA and its advanced form (AFUA) from both regulatory and operational perspectives, with particular emphasis on their practical applicability across different airspace environments. A comparative case study approach is adopted, focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina as a small, low-to-medium traffic airspace and Türkiye as a large, complex, and operationally demanding airspace system. The analysis highlights differences in institutional arrangements, airspace structures, and implementation mechanisms, while identifying common principles underpinning effective FUA application. Special attention is given to environmental benefits, notably reductions in CO₂ emissions achieved through optimized routing and improved airspace availability. The results demonstrate that, despite differing operational scales and constraints, FUA can be effectively adapted to diverse airspace contexts, provided that robust civil–military coordination, advanced airspace management tools, and harmonized regulatory frameworks are in place. The paper concludes that ongoing digitalization and enhanced pre-tactical planning will further strengthen the role of FUA/AFUA in future airspace management.

Keywords

References

  1. Birdal, E. O., & Üzümcü, S. (2019, August). Usage of machine learning algorithms in flexible use of airspace concept. In Digital Aviation Systems Conference. San Diego, CA, United States.
  2. Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA). (2023). Regulation on establishing rules for flexible use of airspace. Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 43–45.
  3. Commission of the European Communities. (2005, December 23). Commission Regulation (EC) No 2150/2005 laying down common rules for the flexible use of airspace. Official Journal of the European Union, 1–6.
  4. DGCA (2014). Regulation on the Flexible Use of Airspace (SHY-FUA) (No. 28976).
  5. Elenkov, M. P., Beriša, H. A., & Barišić, I. I. (2019). Challenges of the implementation of the concept of flexible use of airspace in the Republic of Serbia. Vojnotehnički Glasnik/Military Technical Courier, 67(3), 638–658. https://doi.org/10.5937/vojtehg67-19982 EUROCONTROL. (2009). EUROCONTROL specification for the application of the flexible use of airspace (FUA) (EUROCONTROL-SPEC-112, Version 1.1).
  6. EUROCONTROL. (2010). Flexible use of airspace handbook. Brussels, Belgium.
  7. EUROCONTROL. (2015a). Advanced FUA concept.
  8. EUROCONTROL. (2015b). Airspace management handbook. Brussels, Belgium.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Air-Space Transportation, Air Transportation and Freight Services

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

February 16, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 2 Number: 1

APA
Nikšić, L., & Lapçın, H. (2026). Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects. Samsun Havacılık Araştırmaları Dergisi, 2(1), 24-36. https://izlik.org/JA64FC96YM
AMA
1.Nikšić L, Lapçın H. Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects. Samsun Av. & Aero. Res. J. 2026;2(1):24-36. https://izlik.org/JA64FC96YM
Chicago
Nikšić, Lejla, and Hüseyin Lapçın. 2026. “Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects”. Samsun Havacılık Araştırmaları Dergisi 2 (1): 24-36. https://izlik.org/JA64FC96YM.
EndNote
Nikšić L, Lapçın H (June 1, 2026) Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects. Samsun Havacılık Araştırmaları Dergisi 2 1 24–36.
IEEE
[1]L. Nikšić and H. Lapçın, “Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects”, Samsun Av. & Aero. Res. J., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 24–36, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA64FC96YM
ISNAD
Nikšić, Lejla - Lapçın, Hüseyin. “Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects”. Samsun Havacılık Araştırmaları Dergisi 2/1 (June 1, 2026): 24-36. https://izlik.org/JA64FC96YM.
JAMA
1.Nikšić L, Lapçın H. Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects. Samsun Av. & Aero. Res. J. 2026;2:24–36.
MLA
Nikšić, Lejla, and Hüseyin Lapçın. “Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects”. Samsun Havacılık Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 2, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 24-36, https://izlik.org/JA64FC96YM.
Vancouver
1.Lejla Nikšić, Hüseyin Lapçın. Flexible Use of Airspace in the Context of Modern Air Traffic Management: Concepts, Implementation, and Sustainability Aspects. Samsun Av. & Aero. Res. J. [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;2(1):24-36. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA64FC96YM