Improving ATM Efficiency with New Collaboration Tool

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Harris Corporation are stepping up efforts to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency with a new collaboration tool.

IATA and Harris have partnered to develop SkyFusion—a new cloud-based tool through which airports, airlines and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) can exchange operational information across flight information regions. Better information sharing will allow users to align their planning around disruptions and other ATM-related events, as well as to reduce costs of accessing and sharing information.

SkyFusion information is powered by the System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) data exchange protocol, which aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations and the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). The SkyFusion product will be available to pilot users from March 2016 and commercially as of July 2016.

‘’Airlines, airports and ANSPs share the common goals of improving efficiency, lowering operating costs and reducing emissions. This platform will facilitate effective exchange of information so that operational decisions can be made with the highest net benefit from the ATM system,’’ said Rob Eagles, IATA’s Director, ATM Infrastructure. “By partnering with Harris, we are leveraging both organizations’ expertise to form a backbone for innovative ATM solutions.”

“Collaboration is the key to vastly improving commercial ATM operations on a global scale,” said Carl D’Alessandro, President, Critical Networks, Harris Corporation. “It can positively impact every aspect of airspace operations, from reducing delays to saving fuel.”