Global Air Traffic Management closes on a high

Opening the second day of Global Air Traffic Management (GATM), chairman Carlos Cirilo, regional director safety and flight operations, IATA, summarised the previous day by saying “I think we can all agree that the theme of yesterday was ‘collaboration’”.
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He continued by launching the second day of the conference, which began with a case study of reassessing airspace capacity with Performance Based Navigation (PBN) from Tarek Mrad, Chief of International Organizations Department of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Lebanon.

“Performance Based Navigation redefines the aircraft’s required navigation capability from sensor (equipment),” Mrad stated, “And the foundation for PBN is Area Navigation (RNAV).” He cited the example of the single case of European Sky (FAB) and detailed the considerations required for its implementation; while also examining how PBN can be used to ease crowded sky congestion.

GATM also provided delegates with an insight into seamless collaboration and coordination, discussed in detail by Muayyed Al Tenaiji, Head of Airspace Coordination, Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre. During his presentation he told the assembled audience that aligning stakeholders is key to success.

“The GCAA has established the UAE National Airspace Advisory Committee (NASAC) to provide an effective platform to foster a collaborative airspace management process involving all aviation stakeholders,” he said. Providing more detail, he continued, “NASAC provides an industry-wide representation forum for developing the industry position on airspace matters as the basis for strategic advice to the GCAA, regarding the development and implementation of the UAE ATM strategic plan.”

Steve Toohey, operations manager, and James Evans, operations manager Dubai Approach, Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) discussed the challenges provided by the growth in flight movements at Dubai International Airport over the last decade.

“During 2008, the total flight movements handled by Dubai International Airport was approximately 270,000, resulting in more than 37 Million passengers,” Toohey told the audience. “By 2017, that number had increased to 409,493 flight movements and 88.2 Million Passengers.”

He continued, “This increase has required that dans come up with some creative ideas to develop and enhance current procedures to ensure that the increase in air traffic, along with predicted future demand is managed effectively.”

dans discussed the implementation of APO and 3NM trial that led to peak hour increases of: peak average arrival throughput by 3.8 movements; peak average arrival throughput by 5.5 movements; while peak average hourly arrival delay decreased by 6 minutes 25 seconds and average arrival delay by 1 minute 40 seconds.

Fahad Alanzi, Civil Aviation Security Director, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Kuwait, discussed the importance of securing air traffic against the changing landscape of threats. He examined international requirements for ATM security and how ATSP implements these requirements to ensure secure environments and operations

“In the past communication was closed point to point and technologies were handled by specialists only,” he said, “Now, to meet performance targets, future ATM systems have evolved and require new technologies which are open standards and require changing data.”

“The first edition of GATM has exceeded our expectations,” said Rachel Sturgess, Portfolio Director at GATM organisers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East. “Over the two days we have seen senior level delegates attend from all around the MENA region and internationally, proving that air traffic management really is a global industry. We look forward to bringing GATM back next year within the Dubai Airshow 2019.”

227 delegates attended the event at the Roda Al Bustan, Dubai. GATM will return during the Dubai Airshow, taking place 17-21 November 2019.