US Federal Aviation Administration administrator Marion Blakey is on an 11-day Asian trip seeking to strengthen relationships with regional aviation authorities, promote a "single global sky" and urge the growth of GPS-compatible satellite navigation systems. The trip started on 21 February in Singapore, where Blakey is attending Asian Aerospace 2004. Blakey stops in Beijing for two days from 25 February, followed by two days in Hong Kong and three days in Tokyo. In Beijing, Blakey will push for Chinese authorities to adopt a satellite navigation system that is compatible with the US-operated GPS and offers the "lowest cost possible to the users", she says. China has invested in the European Union's proposed Galileo satellite navigation system. Separately, US and European officials meet this week to discuss a proposal to offer a compatible signal design for Galileo and GPS users.
Source: Flight International
