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Air Traffic Controllers collaborate for the Athens Olympic Games

The Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) of EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, is using Centra's online collaboration software to keep air traffic controllers and airlines in Greece and across Europe up-to-date on flight schedules, route changes, delays and problems that may arise during the Olympics Games in Athens.

"The important thing about Centra is that you can instantly bring everyone together - airlines, air traffic controllers and other aircraft operators - for online meetings to discuss exactly what needs to be done and to share all the relevant information," said John Byrom, head of flow management at EUROCONTROL. "Centra will be a key means of keeping the air traffic staff coordinated and informed during the Olympics."

The EUROCONTROL/CFMU has been using Centra's online collaboration software for more than three years to train air traffic controllers and aircraft operators and to facilitate online meetings among its 33 Member States, which include airlines located in countries across the European continent.

On a typical morning, air traffic staff meet online via Centra to discuss flight routes and flight schedules, and share data - such as traffic control plans and maps - in order to reduce the risk of plane stacking and other anticipated problems.

Centra is also being used for crisis management, enabling air traffic staff to quickly collaborate and make decisions. "After 9/11, everyone realized there needed to be much better sharing of information internationally," said Byrom. "With Centra, we can convene virtual meetings very quickly and lock into other air traffic systems to gain a much wider view of any developing situation."

The ability to move meetings and training sessions online with Centra has helped EUROCONTROL cut costs, improve knowledge sharing and has even reduced the need for workers to travel to training sessions by air.

"From the very beginning, EUROCONTROL understood the power of using Centra for real-time collaboration to cost-effectively enhance communications, accelerate decision-making processes, and empower its air traffic staff and airlines to become more nimble in how they respond to changes in the environment or in crisis situations," said Paul R. Gudonis, CEO of Centra Software. "We are pleased to be a part of their communications strategy to ensure the safe transport of millions of people to and from Greece during the 2004 Olympic Games."

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