TECHNOLOGY AND R&D KEY TO TACKLING AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ISSUES IN GCC
Almasalla, ATP News- Dubai, – Aviation industry leaders highlighted the implications of modernising air transportation systems for airlines, airports and air traffic controllers (ATC) at the second day of the Future Air Transportation Systems Summit 2015 (FATSS) in Dubai.
International experts agreed that industry stakeholders need to highlight airlines’ requirements and focus on how they are evolving and discussing optimal solutions. Key messages delivered at the summit included how technologies will drive and change the air transportations systems and that allowing gate ground operations, ATC and airlines to share information on inbound and outbound flights will increase throughput.
Speaking on behalf of Emirates, Alan Stealey, Divisional SVP, Flight Operations explained that Expo 2020 will deliver an extra 25 million visitors to Dubai, a challenge which will have an impact on the huge capacity growth in the regional industry. Technology development is key and aircraft are already equipped with the latest avionics. Stealey advocated the use of satellite navigation with continuous monitoring of aircraft.
“We’re not making use of technology that we’ve got. Time is of the essence and there has been a lack of progress in dealing with airspace issues. There is also limited time to resolve the problems. We will see 29 new aircraft next year and as an industry we must move quickly to deal with the issues,” commented Stealey.
Stealey’s colleague, Geoff Hounsel, VP, Flight Operations Support Services & ATM, Emirates argued that aviation stakeholders need to find a holistic approach that deals with the challenges. He said that the UAE can lead the world in aviation innovation and must work hard to ensure aviation continues to be a top priority within economic planning.
Okko Bleeker; Director, R&D Europe, Rockwell Collins commented that planes are well equipped with technology but the collective set is not being optimised, which is an issue. He argued that planes cannot work in isolation and greater connectivity through applications will help improve efficiency.
Performance and time-based separations were analysed by panellists at the summit. Solle Svan, VP Strategy, Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), described time based separation as the future of aviation.
Stakeholders at the Future Air Transportation Systems Summit also addressed how avionics can contribute to the effective use of sovereign airspace and the flexible use of airspace between civil and military stakeholders.
Alan Stealey from Emirates stressed the need for a Gulf Control system, silimar to the Euro Control. He explained that there has been some success between military and civil airspace management in the UAE but more cooperation is required. He suggested that the UAE replicate the UK airspace model.
Opening up commercial airspace to unmanned aerial systems was another topic discussed at summit today. Panellists highlighted the challenges of integrating unmanned aerial systems into an already-congested airspace.
Mohammad Al Dossari, Director of Aviation Safety Affairs at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed that an ICAO working group has been established to deal with unmanned aerial systems. He explained that stakeholders will need to comment on GCAA regulations for unmanned aerial systems.
The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Executive Committee is holding its first meeting of 2015 in Dubai alongside the summit. CANSO is supporting the event as a strategic partner in order to highlight the importance of partnership in achieving industry objectives. Transforming ATM performance in the Middle East is a major priority for CANSO and its members.
Officially endorsed and co-organised by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the theme of the summit is how the aviation industry is a key economic driver not just for the UAE, but for the entire Middle East.
The GCAA will host the ICAO Middle East ATM Enhancement Program (MAEP) Steering Committee meeting back to back with FATSS.
