CAAP launches next generation air traffic management system

MANILA, Philippines — The government inaugurated yesterday the new communications, navigation, surveillance or air traffic management (CNS/ATM) systems which would allow the Philippines to be at par with other countries in terms of safety in air space.

In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the P10.8 billion next generation satellite-based CNS/ATM systems is expected to be fully operational before the end of the year.

The project is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Through the CNS/ATM, which is a state-of-the art computer and satellite-based air traffic management technology, the Philippines would be at par with Australia, Taiwan, and European countries using the similar technology.

It would also make the country compliant to the Global Air Navigation Plan of the International Civil Aviation Organization for enhanced safety in air space.

In addition, the CNS/ATM technology would enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency of air traffic service in the Philippine airspace.

The new CNS/ATM system sends satellite signals to aircraft transponders and uses transponder transmissions to determine precise locations of aircraft in the sky.

It includes a computer-based flight data processing system and aims to enable aircraft operators to meet their planned times of departure and arrival, while also adhering to their preferred flight profiles with minimum constraints and without compromising agreed levels of safety.

The project also involves having 10 radars for managing the country’s air traffic.