Thales launches ECOsystem decision support platform for improved aviation operations

At World ATM Congress 2016, Thales announces the launch of ECOsystem, a data-driven solution providing decision support for efficiency, capacity and operations optimisation.

Leveraging more than 10 years of research and technology innovation, ECOsystem enables ANSPs, airlines and airport operators to plan, monitor, manage and assess aviation operations for better decisions and better results. ECOsystem provides a suite of tools and predictive analytics to enable each stakeholder to optimize their own operation as well as contribute to global optimization through data sharing and collaborative applications. From a global cloud-hosted service, to a local single-facility deployment, ECOsystem is configurable to customer operational requirements ⁽¹⁾. It is structured with a suite of advanced cyber security features designed by Thales, world leader in cyber security.

Thales also announces Azerbaijan’s Air Navigation Authorities (AZANS) is the global launch customer for the ECOsystem Advanced Traffic Flow Management application⁽²⁾. AZANS will be a pioneer in implementing this next-generation solution at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, where they are also building an Airspace Supervision and Efficiency Centre alongside the existing airport control tower. At the centre, AZANS will deploy Thales’s TopSky – Tracker for an accurate and unified air surveillance picture as well as ECOsystem to improve airspace management and services provided to airspace users.

AZANS is working to ensure the most efficient use of airspace and smooth implementation of ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan requirements. Establishing an international flight planning system, using the best practices and latest developments of Thales and facilitating aviation data exchange are some of the actions taken to provide orderly regional air traffic flow, to the highest safety standards, to meet future demand⁽³⁾.

“Deploying ECOsystem supports our stated goals to guarantee highquality air navigation services to international standards, and to modernise technical systems and information services. ECOsystem’s initial ATFM application will provide us with data analytics and real-time information for better decision making about our operational activities, resulting in a safer and more efficient operations for our users.” said Farhan Gulyiev, Head of development, AZANS.

Further underscoring the maturity of the system, the SESAR programme for the harmonisation of European airspace will utilize the solution for the 2016 SESAR TopLink large-scale demonstration across France, Croatia, and Austria, to validate the user benefits of deploying System Wide Information Management (SWIM)-based services for aviation operations⁽⁴⁾ .

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ECOsystem includes full SWIM support of Aeronautic Information Exchange Model (AIXM), Flight Information Exchange Model (FIXM), and Weather Information Exchange Model (WXXM) coupled with advanced cyber security features. It also features advanced user profile management with full data protection to support data security and privacy between user organizations.

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The first application of the ECOsystem platform will be Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM). This application builds and expands upon a decade of research and programs with customers around the world, including an operational ATFM system deployed by South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services implemented as part of the preparation for FIFA 2010 World Cup. The ECOsystem ATFM application will enable aviation stakeholders to: Better forecast demand and manage capacity Proactively optimize flights according to weather, congestion, etc. Assess the expected impact of initiatives before implementation Seamlessly integrate with arrival and departure sequencing tools Reduce flight time, fuel load/burn, and associated environmental impact Optimise use of resources and improve controller productivity

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The Azerbaijan Republic is forecasted to experience a sharp growth in internal, transit and over flight air traffic in the coming years as a result of the strategic position of Azerbaijan at a cross point between Europe and Asia, the development of Azerbaijan civil aviation and the rapid growth of the national fleet thanks to the country’s economic growth as well as that of its neighbors in Asia and China. Azerbaijan is foreseen to play a significant role in the regional flow management.

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The TopLink demonstration supports ANSPs, airlines, and airport operators across multiple areas from airport and airspace flow management to flight crew situational awareness. Several ANSPs will utilize the Local Traffic Flow Management capability to bridge the gap between the strategic flow control provided by the Eurocontrol Network Manager and the tactical actions taken by air traffic controllers.