Seán Sherlock, TD opens Airtel ATN's new office

Airtel ATN, dedicated to the development of communications software for the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN), has announced that it has moved to a new, larger office to cater for growth.

The announcement was made yesterday by Minister Seán Sherlock, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, (pictured), together with Frank O’Connor, CEO, Airtel ATN during an event officially opening Airtel ATN’s new office at 2 Harbour Square, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire.

ATN compliance is a regulatory requirement; an EU Single Sky regulation on Data Link services requires existing aircraft to be equipped to use Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) by 2015. The flight regions due for 2015 compliance include Romania, Hungary, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

“Airtel ATN continues to go from strength to strength and is celebrating 15 years in business this year,” said Minister Sherlock. “Data Link compliance ultimately means safer passengers by enabling pilots and air traffic controllers to effectively and reliably send and receive frequently-used, non-critical commands via reliable text message.”

These commands currently need to be agreed via radio and occupies a significant amount of an Air Traffic Controller’s time. Commands include:

Climb or descend toRequest reroute (around weather)Fly heading:

Pilots respond by clicking “wilco,” (will comply) “unable” or “stand-by” buttons. New aircraft were required to have Data Link equipment installed from 1 January 2011. However existing fleet was given until 5 February 2015. Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) in the European countries mentioned earlier must have the ground infrastructure in place by early 2015.

The advantages of Data Link are many, including a reduction in miscommunications and being able to communicate if the microphone gets stuck in transmit mode, as well as freeing up to 50% of an Air Traffic Controller’s time for more complex communications.

“We are working with our partners as well as Air Navigation Service Providers across Europe,” said Frank O’Connor, CEO, Airtel ATN. “We aim to help them become ATN compliant before the 2015 deadline.”

Minister Seán Sherlock, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, (pictured), together with Frank O’Connor, CEO, Airtel ATN