ATC Global's debut in China hailed a success

BEIJING - Air traffic management professionals from North and South America, Europe, Russia, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific and China met in Beijing at the ATC Global Exhibition and Conference on 17-19 September 2014. Hailed a success by Organisers, UBM, and hosts ATMB, the show has already rebooked over 70% of the exhibition space.

The event was organised with full backing from China's Air Navigation Service provider (ATMB) and China's Aviation Regulator (CAAC), securing the attendance of a high level and engaged domestic audience alongside key international stakeholders.

Commenting at the event, Mr Wang Liya, Director General of ATMB said "I am thrilled with the outcome of this year's ATC Global Exhibition and Conference and could not have hoped for better results. We welcome the return of ATC Global to China in the future." Both Mr Wang Liya and Deputy Director General Mr Zhang Jianqiang commented on how valuable an opportunity it was to have the international ATM community share their experiences in China.

Over 3,500 attendees, including SESAR and Eurocontrol Director Generals and senior members of the Chinese military flooded through the doors of the China National Convention Centre over the three days of the event, attracted by a diverse range of exhibitors and comprehensive educational programme. A hosted buyer programme delivered active buyers from countries rarely seen at industry events including Cambodia, Zambia, Lebanon, Cuba and Mozambique who met with exhibitors in a series of pre-arranged meetings.

Innovations on the show floor included Rohde & Schwarz showcasing their R&S VCS-4G IP based voice communications system and Exelis presenting their global aviation expansion programme and Global Surveillance Solutions portfolio. Airways New Zealand officially launched their exclusive partnership with the Civil Aviation Management Institute of China (CAMIC), and delighted with the results tweeted "@atcglobal well done and congratulations!"

Popular educational workshops and seminars were also held on the show floor, including an educational workshop held by SESAR on 17 September featuring three of SESAR's solutions: initial 4D (i4D) trajectory management, System Wide Information Management (SWIM) and Remote Tower Services.

The three-day conference running alongside the exhibition and focused on "Spearheading growth" was opened by Mr Wang Zhiqing, Deputy Director General CAAC and Wang Liya, Director General of the ATMB.

Conference speakers explored technical, regulatory and operational challenges surrounding the provision of a safe and efficient ATM framework for air traffic growth, with four reoccurring areas for improvement highlighted across the three-days: safety, efficiency, capacity and environmental performance.

Senior speakers from both ATMB and CAAC outlined the very high rates of aviation growth seen in China and described the resulting capacity challenges in great detail. They presented a comprehensive set of initiatives designed to increase the throughput and efficiency of the airspace capability in China planned in accordance with the ICAO global air navigation plan.

Referring to aviation growth in China and throughout the Asia Pacific, Ken Mclean Regional Director, Safety and Flight Operations with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated: "Passenger numbers are expected to triple to over 2.2 billion. Cargo volumes to rise at a rate of 6.3% per annum. Aviation's direct contribution to GDP will increase by 6.1% per annum in real terms. An additional 1.3 million jobs will be created across the region by 2030."

The conference also examined the potential benefits of implementing new technologies to support future growth safely, which according to Patrik Peters, President and CEO of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA), will require five elements: training, culture, recruitment, harmonised technology equipage on the ground and on the aircraft and automation in support rather than to replace air traffic controllers.

Following the success of this year's event and the continuation of a strategy to take ATC Global around the world, ATC Global 2015 will take place on 5-7 October in Dubai. Location of the world's busiest international airport, Dubai is an important international hub bridging east and west, north and south, linking more cities than almost any other airport.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia