SITA To Boost Norway's Air Navigation With Advanced Datalink Capability

In a significant move towards enhancing air traffic management, Avinor, wholly owned by the Norwegian Government and responsible for 43 airports across Norway, has embarked on a strategic initiative aimed at optimizing Norwegian airspace. This initiative, crucial for ensuring safe and efficient travel for approximately 50 million passengers annually, involves the integration of SITA's Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) and VHF Data Link Mode 2 (VDLm2) services. Announced on Friday, March 22, 2024, this project is set to revolutionize the way air traffic is managed over Norway, the North Sea, and the Arctic Ocean.

The collaboration with SITA marks a pivotal step in Avinor's efforts to reduce operational costs, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing flight trajectories in the upper airspace. As part of this five-year project that commenced in 2023, SITA is slated to enhance its VDLm2 infrastructure in southern Norway by adding four VHF stations, ensuring comprehensive airspace coverage. The service kick-off is scheduled for early 2025.

Avinor's adoption of SITA's ATN/CPDLC technology is poised to automate air traffic management procedures through CPDLC (ATN-B1), currently the main airspace capacity booster in Europe. This technology facilitates direct digital communication between air traffic controllers and pilots, significantly reducing reliance on voice communication except in contingency scenarios. The integration of ATN/CPDLC service is instrumental in modernizing air traffic management by enhancing sustainability through Trajectory Based Operations, reducing voice congestion, improving situational awareness with digital data exchange, and increasing flight efficiency through precise clearances.

Moreover, the standardized messaging of CPDLC minimizes communication errors and enhances data security with robust encryption methods. It also reduces the workload for controllers by automating routine tasks and improves coordination between controllers and pilots, thereby enhancing overall situational awareness and collaboration.

Ellen Lystad, Director ANS Technology Development at Avinor, highlighted the organization's commitment to the Single European Sky programme (SESAR) through this initiative. By replacing the core system for en-route services and contributing to efficiency improvements in the European network via increased data sharing, Avinor aims to lay the foundation for digitalization in air traffic management. SITA's decisive contribution through its ATN and CPDLC services is deemed essential for this transformation.

Yann Cabaret, CEO of SITA FOR AIRCRAFT, expressed his enthusiasm about Avinor's decision to contract SITA for providing comprehensive air traffic management across Norwegian airspace. He emphasized that with Norway's inclusion, SITA now offers complete airspace coverage across the European Union and adjacent countries as part of the Single European Sky initiative. Operating a European-wide ATN backbone connects ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers), positioning SITA as a key player in delivering a more sustainable European sky.

This collaboration between Avinor and SITA represents a significant leap forward in air traffic management technology. By optimizing flight paths and enhancing communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, this project not only aims to improve operational efficiency but also significantly contribute to environmental sustainability efforts within the aviation industry.