Change in the air for flight data systems

National Air Traffic Services (Nats) is updating the flight data processing systems in its Prestwick centre to help deal with a change in the way North Atlantic airspace is controlled.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) signed a deal with Nats in November to take over responsibility for aspects of air traffic control in the Northern Oceanic Transition Area (Nota), north-west of Ireland, from January next year.

To help meet the deadlines for Nota, Nats says IT updates will be introduced in phases.

'Nota will be phased in from January 2005, when the IAA will begin to handle some flights in this area,' said a spokesman.

'The system changes we require for this first phase will be minimal, with a nominal cost to Nats.'

A new application, the Shanwick automated air traffic system (SAATS) will eventually replace Nats' existing Oceanic Flight Data Processing System, and is due to become fully operational in 2006.

'The major system changes for us will be built in to SAATS,' said the spokesman.

'We're bringing some more capacity online from March 2006 and the remainder of the Nota benefits will come in October 2006, with the new SAATS system.'

SAATS will monitor the position of aircraft crossing the North Atlantic, and offers a range of new features, such as map-based route planning and direct data uplinks from control centre to flight deck.

SAATS is being developed in partnership with NAV Canada, the Canadian civil air navigation services company.

The IAA's head of strategy Denis Hegarty says the deal will provide airlines with a 'menu of choice' for alternative routes across the Atlantic.

And Nats also says airlines will benefit from the deal.

'Nota is something the transatlantic carriers want. It will offer them the option of reduced flight time and reduced fuel burn.'

Nats also announced last week that work is about to restart on its new Prestwick air traffic control centre, which will be built alongside the existing operation. The site is due to be live in 2009.