The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) of Hong Kong will roll out operational use of AireonFLOW for air traffic flow management, enabling unparalleled air traffic visibility and situational awareness to the Hong Kong air navigation service provider’s (ANSP) very busy airspace. 

AireonFLOW provides air traffic management grade data using Aireon’s market leading space based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) service. Combined with flight plan contextual information, AireonFLOW enhances prediction capabilities of flow management and  other relevant air traffic capacity and demand platforms. 

“The Hong Kong airspace is a perfect candidate for our AireonFLOW product. With one of the world’s busiest airports and significant overflight traffic from countries throughout the region, the ability to accurately and reliably predict traffic flows is of the utmost importance,” said Don Thoma, Aireon CEO.

“CAD Hong Kong is a leader in air traffic management and has been a strong proponent of space-based ADS-B since 2020, and we’re looking forward to seeing how CAD Hong Kong will reap operational efficiencies and safety improvements using our data.”  

The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), which is managed by CAD Hong Kong, is one of the busiest airports in the world. The ANSP manages more than 400,000 air traffic movements into and out of Hong Kong International airport annually in addition to the extensive overflights  passing though the flight information region (FIR). 

The selection of AireonFLOW comes at time of growth for the ANSP and HKIA. Air traffic  suffered greatly during the pandemic, but air traffic has rebounded strongly in the region.

When at full capacity, the HKIA handles more than 35 arrivals and departures per hour. Continual position updates from AireonFLOW will ensure that demand prediction for traffic in their airspace sectors and at airports has a high level of accuracy, leading to efficient pre-tactical and  tactical flow management. 

About Aireon LLC 

Aireon has deployed a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent  Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon is  harnessing next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that were formerly ground-based  and, for the first time ever, is extending their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency,  enhance safety, reduce emissions, and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Space based ADS-B surveillance covers oceanic, polar, and remote regions, and augments existing  ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading ANSPs  from around the world, like NAV CANADA, the Irish Aviation Authority, ENAV, NATS UK and NAVIAIR, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon is providing a global, real-time, space based air traffic surveillance system, available to all aviation stakeholders.

Featured image credited to Aireon