Aireon will supply Eurocontrol with space-based ADS-B data under a new 10-year agreement that is expected to enhance air traffic flow management in Europe. “Full integration of Aireon space-based ADS-B data will allow us to be more accurate in our trajectory predictions and ensure higher levels of safety, predictability, and efficiency in our flow management operations,” said Eurocontrol director general Eamonn Brennan.
Eurocontrol’s enhanced tactical flow management system (ETFMS) will integrate Aireon data intended to improve complex traffic demand and slot allocation calculations that have relied on ground-based surveillance data and flight plan processing systems. When fully integrated, Aireon said its data will give Eurocontrol a full picture of aircraft arriving, departing, and crossing over Europe in an area spanning six flight hours and 3,000 nm around the 41 Eurocontrol member states.
“Eurocontrol is…the first customer to use Aireon data well beyond their own area of responsibility,” said Aireon CEO Don Thoma. “This will enable them to maximize the effectiveness of their processes and procedures by including long-range arrivals and neighboring states into their capacity and demand measures.”