Air traffic management system in South Africa is being modernized, with Atech being chosen for the upgrade.
South Africa's Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has contracted Atech, an Embraer Group company, for a two-year project to replace the country's Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) system. The new balance, designed to balance scheduled traffic with airport and sector capacity, is intended to minimise delays and enhance operational predictability and safety.
Atech, known for its commitment to delivering high-impact air traffic management solutions, will be responsible for the deployment of the new ATFM platform. The project, scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2027, will take place at the main air traffic control centre at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The new ATFM platform aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9971 and will allow airport slot management, enabling airlines to submit flight intentions in advance and negotiate time allocations. The system also enables schedule adjustments with airlines and airports in response to weather, construction, and operational constraints.
The contract includes the addition of an Initial and Integrated Flight Plan System compliant with EUROCONTROL requirements. This will shorten flight plan processing and reduce manual intervention, contributing to a more efficient air traffic management system.
The new ATFM platform provides real-time operational dashboards and post-operational key performance indicators, offering improved visibility and control over air traffic operations. The deployment will also include a disaster recovery capability, a training and simulation environment, and provision for system testing.
In addition, the contract includes an Airspace Management and Coordination System for Flexible Use of Airspace across strategic, pre-tactical and tactical levels. The new ATFM platform coordinates cross-border measures with neighbouring Flight Information Regions for integration within a multi-nodal ATFM network.
The project also includes a UTM Flow Management system for managing unmanned traffic management airspace for ATNS, reflecting the growing importance of drone technology in the aviation industry.
The new ATFM platform's demand-capacity balancing and collaborative decision-making tools will help ATNS handle about 283,000 flights annually, linking more than 20 domestic and 35 international destinations. Atech's new contract with ATNS reinforces the company's international expansion strategy.
The deployment of the new ATFM platform is a significant step forward for South Africa's aviation industry, aiming to improve operational efficiency, safety, and predictability.
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