MCLEAN, VA. (March 4, 2015) – Aireon LLC, developer and operator of the world’s first space-based global air traffic surveillance system, announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), India’s air navigation service provider (ANSP), to collaborate on the potential deployment of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) services in Indian airspace as a potential future customer of Aireon. This announcement expands the planned deployment of Aireon service in Asia.
Under the terms of this agreement, AAI will work with Aireon to develop applicable regulations, standards and procedures for ADS-B in its airspace; identify specific requirements for AAI’s use of space-based ADS-B surveillance; and demonstrate how the use of ADS-B can improve aviation operations in Indian airspace. This agreement supports AAI’s commitment to providing safe, efficient and cost-effective air navigation services on a long-term sustainable basis. The relationship will also leverage and support AAI’s experience in controlling a high-traffic area that is developing into a major aviation hub in the region, especially with growing routes between the Middle East and Asia.
“This agreement is yet another important milestone in the growing coalition of ANSPs worldwide who are collaborating with Aireon to transform the future of aviation surveillance,” said Don Thoma, president and CEO, Aireon. “AAI’s commitment to implementing leading-edge surveillance infrastructure to further India’s aviation industry is pivotal in bringing space-based ADS-B to this region. As we develop and deploy Aireon, our close partnership with them will help bring a much-needed surveillance technology to remote and oceanic areas within AAI’s airspace that are currently underserved.”
“We look forward to working with Aireon to develop this innovative new technology to achieve global harmonization, allowing 512010762594ANSPs to take advantage of the space-based technology for safe, efficient and cost-effective services,” said V. Somasundaram, Member (ANS), Airports Authority of India.
In partnership with leading ANSPs and investors from around the world, NAV CANADA, ENAV, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications Inc., Aireon plans to provide the first opportunity for global air traffic surveillance as early as 2017. The Aireon space-based ADS-B service will complement ground-based air traffic surveillance systems currently in use, by seamlessly relaying position and status information of aircraft flying over oceans, poles and remote regions to air traffic controllers on the ground. This new capability is a quantum leap for remote surveillance, extending air traffic surveillance to the entire planet and unlocking operational efficiencies, reducing fuel costs and enhancing safety in remote and oceanic airspace.
About Aireon LLC
Headquartered in McLean, VA, Aireon LLC was formed to provide air navigation service providers with the capability to track aircraft anywhere in the world in real time, including the only coverage over oceanic, polar and remote regions. Aireon will harness the best of aviation surveillance advancements already underway and extend them globally in order to significantly improve the business of air operations through increased efficiency, expanded safety, worldwide integration, reduced GHG emissions and significant cost savings to airlines and ANSPs alike.
