BWI: SITA Enables India’s Air Traffic Control to Move to Safer Digital Data Communications

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: SITA
Thursday, March 10, 2011 04:25 PM IST (10:55 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy, Travel & tourism; Business: Business services, Hospitality, Information technology, Travel & tourism; Technology
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SITA Enables India's Air Traffic Control to Move to Safer Digital Data Communications


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, March 10, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- SITA today announced its selection by the Airports Authority of India to deliver enhanced systems that will enable the exchange of air traffic control (ATC) messages with data link-equipped airlines. Deployed in response to regional ICAO recommendations, and airspace user demands, SITA's data link service will increase both the safety and efficiency of the Indian air traffic management service which manages more than 51 million domestic flights per year.

As part of this project, data link departure clearance (DCL) systems will be deployed at Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad international airports with meteorological information for aircraft in-flight provided by data link D-VOLMET systems at Mumbai and Kolkata airports. SITA will also implement a centralized air traffic services (CATS) data link server that will enable access from aircraft to D-ATIS (digital automatic terminal information service) information from multiple airports across India. Together, all the SITA systems will increase safety as information will be exchanged in digital format avoiding the potential of misunderstandings that may occur due to pilot, or controller, language proficiencies and accents.

V. Somasundaram, Member-ANS (Air Navigation Services), Airports Authority of India, said: "AAI is implementing datalink capabilities for issue of departure clearances by Air Traffic Controllers by using SITA's data link services. This will facilitate controllers to deliver the clearances directly to cockpit printers, saving time, avoiding human errors, enhancing safety, capacity and improving operational efficiency. This will translate further into reducing delay and improved environmental benefits through reduction in emission. SITA's extensive global experience, knowledge in ATC data link technology and renowned high level of customer service combine to make them our perfect partner for these new services. In line with Global Plan Initiatives of ICAO, International best practices, and AAI's commitment to continually modernize ATM in Indian Airspace, AAI has firm plans to extend these services to other airports by the second quarter of 2011."

Philip Clinch, SITA VP Aircraft Solutions, said: "This is a very important project for the Indian air transport industry and SITA's systems will contribute to the enhancement of safety and efficiency for the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) rapidly expanding air traffic management service. We look forward to building and developing our partnership with the AAI and supporting the full implementation of FANS."

The implementation of the SITA solutions is already underway and data link communications will be in operation at the airports by the second quarter of 2011.

Notes to Editors:

About SITA

SITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world's most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.

SITA's portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more.

With a customer service team of over 1,900 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.

SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.

SITA is one of the world's most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for over 550 air transport industry members and 3,200 customers in over 200 countries and territories. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over US$1.49 billion (?1.07 billion) in 2009.

For further information go to www.sita.aero

About AAI
Further information on AAI can be found at: www.aai.aero


CONTACT DETAILS
Brenda Flinter, Public Relations Manager, SITA, +353 87 750 6229, Brenda.Flinter@sita.aero
Charlie Pryor, Director, Leidar, +44 (0)20 7031 8270, charlie.pryor@leidar.com
Manu Tandon, Marketing Manager, SITA, +91 (124) 4203293/ +91 9910386305, manu.tandon@sita.aero
Monica Miglani, Ogilvy PR, +91 (124) 4744652/ +91 9873398590, monica.miglani@ogilvy.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, TOURISM, BUSINESS SERVICES, HOSPITALITY, TRAVEL, TECHNOLOGY

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