Meeting of the COOPANS Association Board of Directors Held in Zagreb

A working meeting of the directors of the COOPANS Association (COOPANS AllianceBoard) was held in Zagreb on September 19 and 20, 2017. The Association is a leading example of industrial partnership in Europe and cooperation among five air navigation service providers from Croatia (HKZP), Austria (Austro Control), Denmark (Naviair), Ireland (IAA), and Sweden (LFV) who utilize the same and harmonized air traffic management system Top Sky, which they continuously upgrade in collaboration with the French manufacturer Thales.

Directors from the COOPANS Association, along with leaders of individual mixed subcommittees, discussed the further strategy of this cooperation and joint EU activities during the meeting.

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On the eve of the meeting, a ceremonial presentation of COOPANS was held, attended by members of the COOPANS Board of Directors, including representatives from HKZP, ambassadors from the four countries whose partners are in the Association, the French ambassador, and representatives of the top management of Thales—the Vice President for Europe and the Vice President for Air Traffic Management Systems.

Representatives from Croatian institutions included the State Secretary Tomislav Mihotić from the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, the Secretary of the Minister’s Cabinet Ksenija Bertić, and the Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Mirjana Čagalj.

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The director of HKZP, Dragan Bilać, emphasized in his presentation that COOPANS also promotes European values and unity, while fulfilling key objectives—reducing costs and increasing capacity and safety.

High-ranking guests praised this form of economic cooperation, expressing full support for its continuation, as well as its expansion and further strengthening, given the expected increasing liberalization in the European market for air navigation service providers.

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The European Commission, recognizing the significance and results of international cooperation, awarded the COOPANS Association the Single European Sky Award 2016 at the World Air Traffic Management Industry Exhibition held last year in Madrid.