Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), South Africa’s Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) has signed a data services agreement with Aireon LLC, developer of the world’s first space-based global air traffic surveillance system.

Through the agreement, ATNS will have 100% air traffic surveillance of the Johannesburg Flight Information Region (FIR) and the Cape Town FIR, which cover approximately 10% of the world’s airspace. This will be done through Aireon’s satellite-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) service, scheduled to be operational in 2018.

Over 70% of the world’s airspace is outside of any real-time air traffic surveillance, limiting it to mainly terrestrial and densely populated areas. This leaves the vast majority of remote, oceanic and mountainous regions without any real-time aircraft monitoring.

ATNS decided to implement ADS-B to enable real-time visibility throughout their airspace. Increased visibility, coupled with real-time air traffic surveillance, improves both the safety and efficiency of air travel and gives air traffic control the ability to optimize airspace with more accurate, predictable data.

According to Thabani Mthiyane, chief executive officer, ATNS, “Aireon is providing the global air transport industry with a vital piece of technology that will greatly enhance air traffic management.”

He added, “Much of Africa is currently without any air traffic surveillance. Aireon’s service will give us visibility into many regions, allowing us to facilitate seamless transitions between air traffic control providers. This will be achieved without any additional ground infrastructure and utilizing currently-mandated on-board avionics.”

“Once the service is operational in 2018, our increased area of surveillance will allow us to work with our African neighbours to improve safety and air traffic efficiency across this region of the world,” concludes Mthiyane.