EUROCONTROL - News

Date 15.03.2010

Brussels, Belgium – Unambiguous and continuous aircraft identification is an
essential and basic requirement for the provision of Air Traffic Control services
in the European region.  To address this issue, the EUROCONTROL
Provisional Council has launched the Aircraft Identification Programme, which
aims to ensure that all flights have a unique identifier that is used continually
across the continent by 9th February 2012.   
 
The shortage of available radar (SSR) codes to meet traffic demand has been
causing more and more problems for individual ATC units and for the
European ATM system as a whole. The shortage results in issues such as
code conflicts with potential loss of identification or frequent changes of SSR
codes. One of the objectives of the Aircraft Identification Programme is to
ensure that aircraft have the same identifying code across the whole continent,
irrespective of the local system capabilities.  The Programme builds on already
existing technologies allowing radar controllers to directly identify aircraft.   
 
National experts and stakeholders, under the supervision of a Steering Group
of the Air Navigation Services Board (ANSB), are working closely together to
develop this programme which could affect Flight Data Processing Systems in
the European Region.  To reach the target date of 2012, the Programme will
implement the operational use of Mode S Elementary Surveillance (ELS) and
the Centralised Code Assignment and Management System (CCAMS) within
their respective specified airspace regions.   To support these developments, a
reform of the Originating Region Code Assignment (ORCAM) will also be
implemented.  
 
“Direct recognition of an aircraft’s identity on radar displays is a fundamental
need of a modern air traffic control system. The Aircraft Identification
Programme will ensure that this vital yet complex part of the European Network
will work seamlessly across the region, eliminating the shortcomings of the
current ORCAM and bringing ELS into full operational use”, says Thierry
Liabastres, the Chairman of the Programme Steering Group.    
“With challenging yet achievable time scales, it will ensure that the basic
building blocks of the air traffic system meet the requirements for safety and
efficiency and do not become a barrier to capacity growth”, concludes the
Programme Manager, Gerard Mc Auley.  
 
For further information, please contact:  

Kyla Evans/Catherine De Smedt, Tel: +32 2 729 50 95 Email:
press@eurocontrol.int

For more information via the website: www.eurocontrol.int