08 October 2015
The Sultanate will be part of a strategic study that aims to harmonise air traffic management services across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Leading UK-based aviation consultancy Helios has announced that it has been selected by the GCC Air Navigation Committee to develop a detailed study, as well as chart a roadmap, for synchronising the disparate air traffic management (ATM) systems of the six member states of the bloc, which includes Oman.
The initiative is aimed at harmonising the delivery of air traffic management services across the region against a backdrop of exponential air traffic growth, expanding airline fleets and growing tourist travel.
In addition to improving efficiency and enhancing safety, the study will also help in the establishment of seamless airspace across the GCC bloc, say aviation experts. According to Helios, the 15-month-long study centres around two key objectives. One focuses on boosting interoperability between the ATM systems of member states by identifying opportunities for developing common standards, and improving operational and technical interoperability.
The second objective is to formulate a roadmap for establishing a harmonised airspace encompassing the Gulf region with the ultimate goal of making possible the delivery of shared air traffic services.
The initiative comes amid record investments being made by Oman and other GCC member states in their respective domestic airline and aeronautical sectors. The proliferation of regional and global airline hubs, served by multitudes of national and international carriers, has underscored the need for robust air traffic management services that can be delivered seamlessly across this high growth region, say experts.
The Sultanate, which has seen its air travel industry burgeon in recent years, has invested sizable sums in the modernisation of its air traffic management systems and services. Much of this infrastructure is being implemented by Spanish based technology firm Indra under a $115 million contract awarded by the Omani government in 2010. The package entails the deployment of ground-to-air voice communication systems, a meteorological system to improve forecasting capabilities at the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation, as well as the deployment of two surface movement guidance and control systems at the Muscat and Salalah airports.
The Sultanate will be part of a strategic study that aims to harmonise air traffic management services across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Leading UK-based aviation consultancy Helios has announced that it has been selected by the GCC Air Navigation Committee to develop a detailed study, as well as chart a roadmap, for synchronising the disparate air traffic management (ATM) systems of the six member states of the bloc, which includes Oman.
The initiative is aimed at harmonising the delivery of air traffic management services across the region against a backdrop of exponential air traffic growth, expanding airline fleets and growing tourist travel.
In addition to improving efficiency and enhancing safety, the study will also help in the establishment of seamless airspace across the GCC bloc, say aviation experts. According to Helios, the 15-month-long study centres around two key objectives. One focuses on boosting interoperability between the ATM systems of member states by identifying opportunities for developing common standards, and improving operational and technical interoperability.
The second objective is to formulate a roadmap for establishing a harmonised airspace encompassing the Gulf region with the ultimate goal of making possible the delivery of shared air traffic services.
The initiative comes amid record investments being made by Oman and other GCC member states in their respective domestic airline and aeronautical sectors. The proliferation of regional and global airline hubs, served by multitudes of national and international carriers, has underscored the need for robust air traffic management services that can be delivered seamlessly across this high growth region, say experts.
The Sultanate, which has seen its air travel industry burgeon in recent years, has invested sizable sums in the modernisation of its air traffic management systems and services. Much of this infrastructure is being implemented by Spanish based technology firm Indra under a $115 million contract awarded by the Omani government in 2010. The package entails the deployment of ground-to-air voice communication systems, a meteorological system to improve forecasting capabilities at the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation, as well as the deployment of two surface movement guidance and control systems at the Muscat and Salalah airports.
© Oman Daily Observer 2015
