Airport, ATM and Air Operations Consulting & Engineering

Egis – through its subsidiary Egis Avia – and SITA will provide a state-of-the-art aeronautical data link communication system to Skyguide – the Swiss Air Navigation Service Provider.

Skyguide issued a request for the provision of this technology in the context of the forthcoming entry into force of the Implementing Rule on Data Link Services (SES DLS-IR No 29/2009). This rule adopted by the European Commission’s Single Sky Committee makes it mandatory for European ANSPs to deploy data link services in their airspace by February 2013 (core Europe) and February 2015 (eastern and northern Europe).

Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) is a method by which pilots and controllers communicate through digital data messages to replace conventional voice communications over busy and congested VHF radio frequencies. EUROCONTROL, the European organisation for the safety of air navigation anticipates that the implementation of CPDLC in Europe will increase the airspace capacity by 11% and reduce the controllers’ workload by 29%. CPDLC also offers critical benefits in terms of safety by supplementing traditional controller pilot voice communications, without loss of information or misunderstandings.

The solution is based on Egis Avia and SITA’s data link front-end processor (DL-FEP) – a system developed to fully support the services required by the European standards. The offer of both companies also includes a long-term warranty and associated services such as implementation assistance and training.

DL-FEP has been operational since April 2010 enabling data link communication with ATN-equipped and FANS1/A-equipped aircraft in the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre operated by EUROCONTROL.

Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) of Germany plans to have a similar DL-FEP solution in its Karlsruhe centre by the end of 2011.

Skyguide is now placing its trust in both companies to provide an operational data link solution for one of the busiest and most complex airspaces in Europe, with over one million flights controlled each year.

Skyguide is a full member of the Functional Airspace Block – Europe Central (FABEC) and SITA had already been awarded the FABEC Data Link framework contract for the provision of an air-ground ATN/VDL2 communication infrastructure. In the context of this project, Egis Avia provides the access points to infrastructure and the ATN routing systems.

Through these projects, Egis Avia and SITA demonstrate their capacity as successful partners to provide end-to-end data link solutions to European ANSPs enabling them to comply with the requirements of the DLS-IR.

About Egis
Egis – a 75%/25% owned subsidiary of the French “Caisse des Dépôts” and “Iosis Partenaires” (“partner” executive and employee shareholding) – is a consulting and engineering group working in the fields of transport, urban development, construction, industry, water, environment and energy. In the road and airport fields, the group is also involved in project financing, turnkey-contract projects and facility operation.

With 11,000 employees, of whom 7,000 in engineering, and a turnover of €800 million in 2010, the group is present in over 100 countries and has around 50 offices in France.

Egis is the only French construction engineering group to figure amongst the first ten European groups and amongst the first twenty groups in the world.

For more information, visit www.egis-group.com
 
About Egis Avia
Egis Avia (formerly Sofréavia) is a leading consulting and engineering company to the air transport sector. Building on a 40-year experience, Egis Avia offers assistance and solutions to the air traffic management (ATM), airport and air operations industries.
Egis Avia joined the Egis Group in 2006, hence widening its coverage with new synergies. With a current workforce of 170 employees and a 28.4M€ annual turnover in 2010 Egis Avia has been successfully managing more than 1000 projects in 140 countries since its creation in 1969.

The company’s expertise ranges from consulting/engineering services and turnkey solutions to operations, hence providing a broad vision and smart understanding of its clients’ needs. With it unique cross-sector expertise, Egis Avia provides tailored and advanced solutions aiming to increase safety and efficiency of operations as well as compliance with aviation standards and best practices.

For more information, visit www.egis-avia.com
 
About SITA
SITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world’s most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.

SITA’s portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more.

With a customer service team of over 2,000 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.

SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.

SITA is one of the world's most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for over 500 air transport industry members and 2,700 customers in over 200 countries and territories. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of US$1.46 billion in 2010.

For further information go to www.sita.aero