Simon Hocquard, Director General of CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation), travelled to Beijing, China this week for a far-reaching conversation with Ma Bing, Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), and separately with Wen Xuezheng, Acting Director General of the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB), where they discussed the challenges being faced by air traffic management (ATM) in the Asia Pacific region.
The Asia Pacific's aviation landscape finds itself at a critical juncture, with challenges looming in the face of post-COVID financial strains on some Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). The region has fallen behind with the Asia Pacific Seamless ANS Plan and Beijing Declaration. To overcome these challenges, Mr. Hocquard underscored the pressing need for enhanced ATM leadership in the region. He also highlighted the significance of regional cooperation, mutual understanding and stability in ATM.
"With the increasingly complex international relations environment, the need for cooperation seems more relevant than ever. Air traffic management is an operational and technical enabler for the growth of air transport. In the face of unprecedented challenges, we need to make an extra effort to safeguard and shield ATM from any disruptive forces,” Simon Hocquard commented.
During their visit to Beijing, the CANSO delegation was welcomed by ATMB, who showcased their North China Area Control Centre, and the Operation Management Centre, Meteorological Centre, and Information Management Centre — collectively known as the "Three Centre Project." This remarkable achievement, inaugurated in 2021, is poised to revolutionise the quality of civil aviation services. CANSO commended ATMB for this pioneering endeavour and floated the idea of personnel exchanges with other regional air navigation service providers.
ATMB's role in regional ATM development has been nothing short of transformative, a sentiment echoed by CANSO as they expressed their appreciation for ATMB's gracious offer to host the Asia Pacific Conference in July 2024.
Mr. Hocquard extended his gratitude for the chairmanship of the CANSO Asia Pacific Operations Work Group, led by Miao Xuan, Deputy Director General of ATMB. The two entities are poised to scale new heights of collaboration, as the CANSO Asia Pacific Operations Work Group convenes in Nanjing on November 7 and 8, 2023.
This pivotal meeting between CANSO and China's aviation authorities sets the stage for future skies that are safe, seamless, sustainable and efficient.
