|
What is FF-ICE?
ICAO has implemented a concept called FF-ICE (Flight and Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment) which aims to improve how flight data is exchanged between air traffic stakeholders. These stakeholders include Airspace Users, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and the EU Network Managers. A goal of FF-ICE is to improve upon the ICAO 2012 Flight Plan by adding aircraft trajectory information in the user's flight plan submission. This enhanced data will provide better traffic flow optimization and greater flexibility for ANSPs while streamlining the transmission of data between the stakeholders.
The European Union is taking the first steps and have announced their transition will come in two phases.
- FF-ICE/R1: This will focus on the pre-departure phase of flight. Planned release in January 2026.
- FF-ICE/R2: This will focus on post-departure coordination between ANSPs and Airspaces Users. Release of R2 has yet to be announced.
Where is FF-ICE being implemented?
The FF-ICE flight planning mandate is relegated to the 27 Member States of the European Union including Norway and Switzerland.
How does the FF-ICE flight plan differ from ICAO 2012?
FF-ICE will utilize an Extended Flight Plan (eFPL) based on the FIXM format (Flight Information Exchange Model). This model allows for a more detailed and expanded dataset which is specific to the user's aircraft. This new format is specifically modeled to work with FF-ICE requirements and procedures. Along with the standard ICAO 2012 data, eFPL plan offers:
-
4D Route Trajectory - Besides ICAO 2012 contents, 4D Trajectory will include enhanced data for each planned waypoint. This includes waypoint coordinates, speed, altitude and weather information (temperature and winds).
-
Aircraft Specific Performance Data - Data includes Aircraft Gross Weight, Speed, Climb and Descent profiles, Accumulated Distance and Accumulated Time for each waypoint. Aircraft specific performance data will also allow Top of Climb (TOC) and Top of Descent (TOD) points to calculate and transmit. This serves a significant benefit for Eurocontrol IFPS route validation.
-
GUFI - Globally Unique Flight Identifier or GUFI is a code which is assigned to each eFPL flight plan. This code is unique to the specific transmitted flight plan, and it serves to eliminate the confusion surrounding multiple plans on file with the same call sign. The GUFI code sticks with the flight plan through multiple data exchanges between the air traffic stakeholders. Once the plan is completed or cancelled, the GUFI code cannot be used for a later flight.
Due to the inclusion of trajectory-based operations (TBO), aircraft specific performance data and GUFI codes, the FF-ICE (eFPL) flight plan provides an important benefit over the current ICAO 2012 format.
Eurocontrol Mix Mode Operations
Eurocontrol realizes not all stakeholders will be configured with FF-ICE by the January 2026 phase 1 release date. The need for stakeholders to implement new processes and update current infrastructures will take time. Additionally, Eurocontrol will need to communicate flight plan data to a global audience of ANSPs which only accept the ICAO 2012 format. Therefore, Eurocontrol is implementing a transition period known as Mix Mode Operations where they will be accepting both formats: eFPL plan via B2B/SWIM and ICAO 2012 via AFTN/SITA. Eurocontrol's mix mode operation will require the NM (Network Manager) to translate the flight plan data internally to either format depending on where the route is operating. For example, an eFPL flight plan submitted to Eurocontrol departing EDDM (Munich, Germany) and arriving HECA (Cario, Egypt) will require the NM manager to translate the plan into the ICAO 2012 format for the Egyptian ANSP. There is no near-term deadline for the end of Mix Mode Operations.
ICAO has set a goal for all global flight planning stakeholders to switched over and fully compliant with FF-ICE by 2034. At that time the ICAO 2012 flight plan will officially sunset.
What is ARINCDirect doing to comply with FF-ICE/R1?
ARINCDirect fully understands the new filings requirements in Europe and is steadily working towards updating our system. The infrastructure changes required to send and receive FF-ICE related messages involve a reconfiguration of system logic and establishing new connections via B2B/SWIM. In January 2026 we will be utilizing Eurocontrol's Mix Mode Operation for our flight plans while our team works on FF-ICE testing and implementation. We expect no impact to the user flight planning experience during this transition as the requirements mainly impact the backend processing of flight plan data.
| 
