Aircraft Operational Communications

High-quality communications are an absolute must for airlines.

Cockpit crews and aircraft systems need to exchange voice and data information, wherever they may be. Pilots need to communicate with air traffic controllers and airline operations centres.

SITA Aircraft Operational Communications ensure pilots receive vital information in real-time.

SITA know-how

SITA supports more than 180 contracted customer airlines with more than 8,500 individual aircraft in routine airline operation.

SITA facilitates the exchange of more than one million Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) messages per day.

SITA supports more than 2,500 individual aircraft equipped for satellite-based air-to-ground communications.

SITA’s network of ground stations has expanded steadily since 1984, and currently includes more than 1100 stations in more than 160 countries.

SITA provides roughly 50% of the traffic exchanged through all ACARS networks worldwide (more than 300 million ACARS messages over VHF and 60 million via satellite).

More than 1200 customer aircraft use our services with advanced Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS) avionics, enabling pilots to use data link instead of voice for communications with air traffic control.

SITA’s AIRCOM service is used by approximately 45 air traffic service providers with Pre-FANS/ FANS application systems.

Benefits

Aircraft Operational Communications provide the following benefits.

  • Brings aircraft systems into the airline IT domain
  • Automates processes otherwise requiring people and/or paper
  • Optimizes aircraft maintenance by recording aircraft faults and planning rectification
  • Provides extended warranties from engine manufacturers with real-time engine trend monitoring
  • Manages tactical routes, aircraft assignments and fleet control
  • Expedites turnaround of aircraft
  • Facilitates integration of aircraft data into airline IT domain
  • Provides graphical flight following and enhanced management of non-standard operational events
  • Reduces cockpit workload and provide up-to-date information for tactical management of a flight
  • Saves fuel with FANS routes

Features

Aircraft Operational Communications include the following features.

  • Comprehensive 24/7 customer support
  • Multiple VHF frequencies in Europe
  • Controlled and owned by the air transport industry (ATI), which ensures stable and neutral services
  • Market-leading ACARS message-processing tool
  • Most advanced ATI flight following tool