Weekly Review #251 - Celebrating five years of weekly reviews (and being a voice in the ATM industry online)

Picture of Vincent Lambercy
Posted July 17 2024 by Vincent Lambercy
Dear friend of FoxATM,
 
Usually, I make a rule of making this weekly review about the ATM market. How to navigate it, the latest developments by ANSPs or in the ATM industry, and so on. But today is the exception. This review is about some recent achievements that I'd like to celebrate with you.
 
First of all, this is issue #251 of our weekly review. It marks five years of crafting it week after week. This is a testament to FoxATM's commitment to deliver what we promise. Over time, it has evolved to best match your expectations. And this will continue.  It wouldn't be possible without you, the readers, so we'd like to say a big thank you!
 
The second thing I'd like to celebrate is that I recently reached 8,000 followers on LinkedIn. And, our Market Radar page now has more than 4,400 followers. I don't know if this makes me an influencer, or just a voice, but it's an achievement I'm proud of. As always, I'm grateful to every follower. The community we build day after day, follower after follower, to foster business in air traffic management is so valuable. I have a great respect for it and I fully realize the responsibility that comes with it.
 

The best part of having this great community is how it enables us at FoxATM to connect the dots, build bridges, and bring people and companies together, sometimes in improbable ways. In turn, we can help solve problems, support innovation, and always champion smaller companies. So if you need support, ideas, or a helping hand with your networking, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are always happy to make new friends and enrich our understanding of the ATM market.

 

Before leaving you to the usual news of the week, I want to thank you once again, because none of this would be possible without you.

 

Vincent

 

ANSP news

  • BHANSA made a significant contribution to establishing one of the largest free route airspaces in Europe- On June 26, 2024, an international meeting took place in Vienna to mark the completion of the project to expand the Free Route Airspace SECSI FRA. This innovative project covers the airspace of eight European countries, including Austria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Slovenia. Additionally, in 2024, the project included the airspace of Italy, known as FRA IT. The implementation of this project established one of the largest free route airspaces in Europe.
  • FABEC is preparing for increased traffic demand in the core area - Representatives of the FABEC States, their military authorities and air navigation service providers met in Paris today to discuss the EU's air traffic management performance scheme, traffic growth and investment needs, and the future of their relations with other functional airspace blocks.
  • Borealis Alliance Board convenes in Riga to discuss future perspectives – Latvijas Gaisa Satiksme- Chief Executive Officers of air navigation service providers of Borealis Alliance convened in Riga on Thursday, July 4 to reconfirm their commitment to more collaborative and efficient Alliance. Having just celebrated its twelfth anniversary, the Alliance is at the beginning of a new path seeking new unifying vision and future perspectives. During the very productive meeting hosted by LGS, CEOs agreed on the need to reshape the Alliance for improved operational experiences and tangible benefits.
  • Air Traffic Control Enterprise Agreement Declared - Airservices- Airservices Australia’s air traffic control and supporting air traffic services staff have voted to approve a new three-year enterprise agreement. The agreement is the result of extensive good faith negotiations with Civil Air, the union representing the majority of ATCs and supporting staff, and a number of individual bargaining representatives.
  • EUROCONTROL calling for common action to address air traffic control delays- EUROCONTROL has today met with representatives of European air navigation service providers (ANSPs), aircraft operators (AOs), airports (APTs) and ground handlers (GHs) to discuss the actions that need to be taken to address delays in the European air traffic control network.
  • Update 3 - Capacity restrictions in Geneva airspace lifted — Skyguide- The air navigation service provider Skyguide lifted the capacity restrictions in Geneva's airspace this morning. The heavy rainfall on Tuesday evening had led to flooding in the basement of the air traffic control centre in Geneva. As a result, airspace capacity had to be reduced for safety reasons.
  • Botswana undergoes another Oversight Audit by ICAO – Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana- The Montreal, Canada based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) this week completed a Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) on Botswana. The assessment began a week earlier on June 18, 2024, aimed at reviewing compliance of the Botswana’s Aviation Safety Oversight Systems, specifically focusing on Aerodrome & Ground Aids (AGA), Civil Aviation Organization (ORG) and Legislature (LEG).
  • FAB CE - Establishing one of the largest free route airspaces in Europe- With a Free Route Airspace that extends from Austria to North Macedonia and now extended to Italy, routes are further optimised leading to substantial reductions in emissions. The new Free Route Airspace was presented at an international meeting in Vienna.
  • More space for wind power expansion in Germany’s Hanover Region - DFS- DFS is putting the Nienburg navigation aid for aircraft back into operation on 28 June following its conversion to a DVOR. The new DVOR is significantly less sensitive to interference from wind turbines compared to the previously used conventional type, known as CVOR. The so-called building restricted area set up to protect the navigation aid’s signals can now be reduced from a radius of 15 to 7 kilometres. This corresponds to a 75-percent reduction in the protected area required. This reduction frees up more space for the expansion of wind energy in the Hanover Region, a district in Lower Saxony, Germany.
  • FAB CE - Summer is starting: How will it impact our traffic forecast?- Looking ahead at the forecast within the FAB CE region for the next few months, the good news is a recovery from the challenged days for air travel during the pandemic. In addition to the recovery of the level of traffic there are also external influences impacting an increase in en-route and overflights in our region – traffic that must be handled due to the situation in Ukraine, an increase in low-cost carriers providing flights to Balkan destinations, and sport events.
  • FAB CE Management Changes in April and May- April and May was a busy month for the transition of leadership within our FAB with three ANSPs announcing changes in their executive teams.

Airport news


Market news

  • Airways International has delivered a TotalControl tower simulator for Croatia Control- Airways International has delivered a TotalControl tower simulator for Croatia Control, installed for air traffic control training at its headquarters. With the successful completion of site acceptance testing, the 270°, 17-screen simulator is now installed and commissioned, ready for use by Croatian air traffic controllers during training exercises.
  • Thales to enhance radio aviation navigation aids quality in Croatia - Thales will provide 6 new generation DME Ground Stations, which will be held in compact outdoor cabinets, representing a significant progress in aviation navigation infrastructure. These robust structures are designed to host aviation navigation equipment outdoors, providing cost-effective solutions and optimal protection, improving carbon footprint impact through efficient new generation equipment and reduced environmental impact.
  • Indra signs a framework agreement to equip airports in the United States with technology for the surveillance and monitoring of surface aircraft- FAA has included Indra’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) technology on its Qualified Product List and it will be able to deploy it for any of the nation’s 450 airports with staffed air traffic control towers. Indra’s solution incorporates a cloud platform, satellite connections and 5G to enable rapid deployment at airports, to improve runway safety for the traveling public. The company has successfully implemented the initial deployment of its SAI system at Dallas Love Field Airport, one of the busiest in the country.
  • SkySoft-ATM's Alliance with IFATCA- At SkySoft-ATM, we are thrilled to announce our collaboration with IFATCA, reflecting our commitment to developing ATM solutions in close cooperation with air traffic controllers. Our products, designed by controllers for controllers, ensure innovative and effective support systems.
  • Avinor and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace have signed an agreement for seven new remotely controlled towers - The tower center in Bodø now remotely controls 11 towers, and in March 2025 the last towers in Phase 1 of the Remote Towers Program will be put into operational operation from the tower centre. At the same time, the Remote Towers system will be upgraded so that each work position will be able to operate up to 3 airports at the same time.
  • ERA has signed a new contract with ROMATSA for the extension of its WAM system to cover the Brasov Airport Area- ERA Company was awarded a contract for the extension of its Wide Area Multilateration system called WAM East in Romania. The goal of the planned system extension is to provide surveillance coverage of the Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport area. The contract was assigned by ROMATSA, the Romanian ANSP.
  • QCAA Organizes Training Program for Second Group of Egyptian Air Traffic Controllers- Within the framework of existing cooperation in the field of civil aviation between the State of Qatar and the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, and their efforts to enhance joint work, exchange experiences, and build and develop capabilities in both countries, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) is organizing a training program for the second group of Egyptian air traffic controllers over a period of five days, from 30 June to 4 July 2024.
  • Systems Interface awarded Navaid contract by the Irish Air Corps- Systems Interface Ltd. has secured a contract awarded by the Irish Air Corps on behalf of the Minister of Defence. The contract involves the Supply, Installation, and Commissioning of an Indra Doppler VHF Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) and 2 Indra Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Ireland.

Context information

  • Digital Solutions and Technology focus at the CANSO Asia Pacific Conference 2024 in Chengdu, China- CANSO Asia Pacific Conference 2024 was held in Chengdu, China, this week (8-11 July), kindly hosted by the Air Traffic Management Bureau, CAAC (ATMB). Over 200 leaders from across the region’s aviation industry have gathered for this year’s conference, which focused on taking bold actions for regional air traffic management through digital solutions.
  • Meet the Polaris ICE team- Tern Systems and Isavia ANS have been collaborating closely for almost 30 years now, developing ATM systems. The newest and most ambitious product being developed is the POLARIS ATM system. The POLARIS ICE team, comprised of members from both companies, is responsible for developing the feature set that will enable Isavia ANS to manage air traffic over the North Atlantic Ocean in the future. The area is more than 5 million square kilometres and is one of the largest control areas in the world.
  • EASA publishes Annual Safety Review 2024 - The 2024 Annual Safety Review of EASA is now online. The 2024 Edition looks at the safety performance of the European aviation system in 2023. This, and other analyses carried out by EASA in collaboration with national aviation authorities and industry, is used to support the safety risk management process that drives the decision-making reflected in the European Plan for Aviation Safety. Therefore, where risks are identified, further analysis is performed and when needed, mitigation actions are included in the EPAS.
  • EUROCAE and ASD-STAN Forge Cooperation to Enhance European Aerospace Standards- In a significant step towards enhancing coordinated standards development across the European Aerospace & Defence Industry, EUROCAE and ASD-STAN have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. This partnership aims to optimise resource utilisation and streamline efforts through collaborative engagements within their respective working structures.
  • EU and ICAO enhance Memorandum of Cooperation to support technical cooperation in aviation worldwide- The European Union and ICAO have signed a new Annex to their Memorandum of Cooperation to establish a strong partnership in supporting technical cooperation projects globally. ICAO and EASA pledged to reinforce their collaboration in jointly assisting civil aviation actors from countries across the five continents with “capacity building, technical assistance, and implementation suppor
  • Finland has a good ability to detect interference with satellite navigation- In Finland, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom is responsible for monitoring the use of the wireless communications and radio network frequencies as well as investigating radio interference including satellite navigation services. The Agency has good capabilities throughout Finland to detect and locate signals that may interfere with satellite positioning, and a comprehensive situational picture of interference on land, at sea and in the air.

Research and innovation

  • The Impact of AI and Machine Learning on Aviation Safety- In recent years, the aviation industry has experienced significant advancements due to the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Among these, AI and Machine Learning stand out as transformative forces. These technologies have not only enhanced operational efficiency but also significantly bolstered aviation safety. This article explores the profound impact of AI and ML on aviation safety, highlighting key areas where these technologies are making a difference.
  • Emergency management and contingency planning: ENSURE project starts validations - SESAR JU- During the week of 10 of June, the SESAR JU ENSURE validated a new service for the ATM-U-space interface: the emergency management and contingency plan.
  • AEROPLANE climate service unfolded: more sustainable and resilient aviation through climate metrics - SESAR JU- Improving climate resilience in the aviation sector means ensuring safe operations even when facing extreme weather conditions and a shifting climate. The urgent need to reduce the impact of aviation on climate is complemented by the equally pressing need to enhance its resilience to ongoing changes. AEROPLANE is a three-year exploratory research project bringing together the consortium partners, Deep Blue, Amigo Climate, Universitaet Leipzig, Eurocontrol, University of Reading, to develop innovative, tailored solutions for a resilient aviation industry.
  • Getting insights on people’s perception of drones - SESAR JU- The SESAR JU ImAFUSA project recently organised an open day in May 2024 in Athens, Greece, to carry out a psychoacoustic experiment and acceptance survey about innovative aerial services. Over 130 young people from nearby universities and vocational education centres participated in a three-step live, outdoor experiment to gauge public perceptions of innovative aerial services, and responses to drone sounds.
  • SESAR Deployment Manager reports significant progress in CP1 Implementation- The SESAR Deployment Manager's latest 2023 Monitoring View report highlights significant advancements in the implementation of the CP1 Regulation, underscoring the ongoing commitment to enhancing European air traffic management. The comprehensive report, detailing progress as of December 2023, reflects substantial achievements and outlines key milestones in the SESAR deployment programme.
  • Three simulations with Türkiye's DHMI take place at our EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub- In the first half of 2024 DHMI and EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub collaborated on three significant real-time simulation projects. These exercises took place at the EIH’s unique simulation facilities located near Paris and aimed at validating: the triple-runway operations at iGA Istanbul Airport; the redesigned Antalya terminal manoeuvring area with independent parallel runway operations; and the new Antalya airport layout including new aprons, parking positions and taxiways.
  • New SESAR JU members to bolster European air traffic management modernisation- NATS and Lilium will contribute to the SESAR JU’s task of advancing cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking solutions to make European ATM smarter and more sustainable. Their adhesion signals a recognition of the importance of collaboration, especially in an industry such as ATM, where no one organisation alone can make the transformative changes needed. By working together, SESAR JU ensures that Europe remains at the forefront of global innovation in aviation, ready to meet the challenges facing the sector, from climate change, growing traffic density and the new security context.

Reports and data

  • Saudi Arabia breaks air traffic growth record- The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced outstanding progress in the Kingdom’s air traffic performance between January-June 2024, with a significant growth in passenger numbers, flights, air cargo, and connectivity.
  • Airspace in numbers - NATS- In April 2024 NATS began publishing a monthly news release that reports the numbers of flights we handle in UK Airspace (London FIR, Scottish FIR and Shanwick Oceanic FIR). It includes total monthly flights handled this year and annual figures from previous years back to 2019 as well as Swanwick and Prestwick ATC centre performance and record flight days for airports. Full details on airport numbers can found on the CAA website.
  • Fraport Traffic Figures – June 2024: Frankfurt Airport Reports First-Half Passenger Growth of Seven Percent- Aircraft movements were up 1.5 percent year-on-year to 39,475 takeoffs and landings. Likewise, accumulated maximum takeoff weights (or MTOWs) rose by 2.3 percent year-on-year to about 2.5 million metric tons in the reporting month.
  • EUROCONTROL aviation network update - Week 27, 2024- Air traffic continued to increase steadily in Week 27 which recorded 34,461 average daily flights, 0.6% higher than Week 26. That is considerably up from just over 33,000 daily flights one month ago – with flight volumes 4% higher than last year, and continuing to hover around a full global recovery (97% of 2019), although many countries and sectors of the network are experiencing air traffic well above 2019 levels.
  • Air traffic at Munich airport is on the rise - Airport Suppliers- The upward trend is reflected in the increase in aircraft movements: Over 156,000 take-offs and landings were recorded in the first half of 2024. This represents an increase of over ten percent year-on-year. Compared to 2019, the number of flights has increased by an impressive 76 percent.
  • EUROCONTROL Data Snapshot #45 on the long term perspective of ANS performance- The 45th EUROCONTROL Data Snapshot takes a look at the long term perspective of ANS performance.
  • Hong Kong Airport Authority Publishes Annual Report 2023/24- Airport Authority Hong Kong published the Annual Report 2023/24 for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2024. The air traffic made significant progress at Hong Kong International Airport during the fiscal year. Passenger numbers and flight movements rose 264.5% and 92.1% respectively, to 45.2 million and 309,650. Passenger numbers during recent peaks and flight movements have recovered to 80% of the pre-pandemic level, and on track to full recovery by the end of 2024.
  • Big monthly upturn in traffic at Hong Kong International Airport- Traffic numbers continue to rise at Hong Kong International Airport as it recovery from the global pandemic gathers pace. Figures released by Airport Authority Hong Kong show that 4.07 million passengers and 29,855 aircraft movements were handled at the airport in May, upturns of 30.8% and 34.5% respectively on the corresponding month a year ago.

UAV and UTM

  • Skypuzzler to receive European Innovation Council funding to progress UTM - Unmanned airspace- Skypuzzler ApS has been selected by the European Innovation Council (EIC) to receive funding. Skypuzzler’s integrated Digital Air Traffic Control (iDATC) is an add-on module to UTM systems, designed to provide tactical deconfliction in real-time with a holistic traffic view to foresee and mitigate potential conflicts, enabling drones to fly beyond visual line of sight.
  • Project BLUEPRINT trials lay groundwork for open-architecture UK UTM system - Unmanned airspace- Project BLUEPRINT, a two-year initiative, has been pivotal in advancing BVLOS drone operations in the UK. The project team successfully developed and integrated minimum viable products (MVPs), laying the groundwork for BVLOS solutions. A comprehensive sensor network was deployed, enhancing situational awareness and safety. Initial testing validated the system’s functionality and performance, securing approval from the relevant authorities and demonstrating compliance with aviation standards.