ICAO's first full Air Navigation Conference for more than a decade has endorsed an operational concept for air traffic services (ATS) over the next 25 years and beyond that stresses greater harmonisation of systems between regions and an awareness of the airline industry's financial constraints.
Held in Montreal in late September, this was the first full conference since a 1991 session endorsed the Future Air Navigation System (FANS) concept. This time the insistence on interoperability and cost-effectiveness presents a new dimension. Marinus Heijl, deputy director of ICAO's Air Navigation Bureau, says the last conference's goals and timetable 'were very optimistic at the time, and we were all quite enthused' but by 1998 'it was a bit of an awakening, realising that you can't get there in one jump'.
Since 1991, the industry 's economics have changed significantly. Jack Howell, director of the navigation bureau, says: 'We're well aware of the industry's financial state and the new business reality.' The conference stressed that airlines cannot simply absorb the costs of new systems and technology and instead asked that nations and agencies to bear in mind that such costs would have an effect on the financial health of the world's airlines.
'The operational concept is a rallying point. We need a certain degree of modularity,' adds Howell.
Increasing capacity is a central goal, and as a major step, the conference strongly endorsed Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology. The satellite-based, datalinking technology is 'an important enabler' of key concepts, including traffic synchronisation and conflict management.
Vince Galotti, chief of ICAO's air traffic management section, said that with ADS-B, 'you could see some immediate benefits in capacity enhancement, especially in areas where radar coverage is limited or where there is no radar. It would help in sequencing and in more efficient use of airspace and routes.'
Source: Airline Business
