High-level civil and military representatives from Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland signed, on 18 November 2008 at the European Aviation summit at Bordeaux, a Declaration of Intent to jointly build up a common functional airspace block, called FABEC (Functional Airspace Block Europe Central).

• Press release from the Belgian State (Mobility and Transport/Defence) only available in French and Dutch
• Background info on the FABEC Feasibility Study: Straight to the point - How FAB Europe Central can change the way we fly
• Background info on FABs: the Functional Airspace Blocks in the Single European Sky

In parallel, the civil air navigation services designated in these countries signed an agreement which will be the basis for first and immediate steps of cooperation. The goal of this common initiative is to set up an airspace among the six States where air traffic management is organised irrespective of national borders but according to operational needs.

• Summary of the Agreement on Cooperation between 7 ANSPs