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Regional highlights: Middle East

SITA/GACA Saudi Arabia partnership for VHF data link
Data link services in the Middle East
Two-day CNS/ATM implementation workshop in Iran
SITA participates in Libyan ATC seminar
Performance-based CNS/ATM implementation seminar in Cairo

SITA/GACA Saudi Arabia partnership for VHF data link

The VHF Data Link Partnership Agreement signed between SITA and the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) began to bear fruit in 2008 with the first-phase delivery of eight VHF Ground Stations (VGS), a centralized ATS Server and an AIRCOM Monitoring System (AMOS).

Two out of the eight VGSs, operating both VDLm2 and ACARS, were successfully installed, tested and commissioned in King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in the city
of Jeddah. The two-phase delivery and installation project is expected to continue up to 2010.

Data link services in the Middle East

In 2008, SITA continued to be the DATIS and FANS service provider of choice for the majority of ANSPs in the Middle East, delivering services in countries including Algeria, Dubai, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.

Two-day CNS/ATM implementation workshop in Iran

The Iranian Airports Company (IAC) hosted a two-day workshop in Tehran on 18-19 November, 2008 to present and discuss the latest CNS technology concepts to help the IAC maximize safety, efficiency and environmental benefits.

Speakers from both SITA and COMSOFT delivered a total of 11 presentations with the full participation of IAC staff.

SITA participates in Libyan ATC seminar

The Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC), together with the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, organized a seminar entitled 'Air Traffic Control Services Coordination and
Development' in Tripoli, Libya on 3-4 November 2008. The seminar was attended by more than 120 delegates, and featured speakers from ACAC, SITA, ICAO,EUROCONTROL and ASECNA.

Performance-based CNS/ATM implementation seminar in Cairo

SITA held a very successful seminar entitled 'Performance-based CNS/ATM implementation in the Middle East and Africa Region' in Cairo on 6-7 April, 2008.

The seminar, which was delivered in partnership with IATA, the Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC) and NANSC, Egypt's ANSP, attracted over 100 delegates from across the Middle East and African region, representing 27 states and four airlines.

The aim of the seminar was to provide guidance on how technology can contribute towards meeting anticipated performance requirements in the face of the sustained boom in traffic movements throughout the Middle East. Presentations were delivered by delegates from SITA, ICAO, ACAC, IATA, US FAA, EUROCONTROL, Frequentis, COMSOFT, Skysoft ATM, and Helios Technology.