Although air traffic has declined in recent weeks due to travel restrictions imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the air traffic management (ATM) industry is committed to offering critical air navigation services in all regions around the world. By maintaining these services, ATM is enabling the safe passage of vital repatriation and cargo flights transporting essential medical equipment and goods through global airspace.
“These are challenging times for the aviation industry but our members are taking every step necessary to make sure we can continue to provide essential ATM services around the world,” commented Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO.
A variety of steps have been taken to ensure that air traffic controllers can continue to deliver a safe and seamless service. This includes implementing employee protection and business continuity initiatives, such as new hygiene and distancing measures, dynamic rostering and remote working, remote research and development, and remote and restorative maintenance.
CANSO is working closely with its aviation industry partners and stakeholders to ensure smooth operations continue. In Asia Pacific and Africa, this has involved concerted efforts to safeguard operational units; and in Europe ensuring the entire aviation industry has financial security for the months ahead. In Latin America and the Caribbean, CANSO is providing vital contingency communications between air navigation service providers (ANSPs), airlines and airports thanks to its CADENA initiative – a data exchange network for the Americas.
Commenting on how there are about 5,000 aircraft in the sky at any given time, Hocquard said: “These all need our support to travel safely and efficiently through airspace, and the ATM community will continue to be there to guide each flight right from take-off all the way through to landing. No matter how air traffic levels fluctuate, our work never stops, and neither will our commitment to the airspace users we serve. Our thanks go out to the frontline staff, support services, organisations and suppliers for making this happen, and for maintaining the world’s vital air transport network in these uncertain times.”
He also stated that the weeks and months ahead will continue to test the aviation industry. “ATM needs to come together with all our industry stakeholders including airlines and airports in a joined-up approach to ensure financial security and operational resilience going forward, and ultimately to keep our skies safe.”
