China is embarking on a bold 'New ATM' development programme, to meet the capacity needs of its expanding aviation sector, while improving safety, efficiency and service levels.

Speaking to the recent ICAO ATM conference, the Deputy Director General of the CAAC's Air Traffic Management Bureau, Lu Xiaoping, stated, China is planning and constructing the New ATM system to "play a greater role in China's economic construction and social development".

According to Ms Lu, rapid development of air traffic in China is placing constraints on the current ATM system in China.

By 2010 (the last year of China's 11th "Five-Year Plan"), another 30 domestic airports will be added, for a total of over 180, while Chinese airlines are expected to add another 100-150 aircraft each year, for a total fleet of 1,580.

By 2020, the number of domestic airports will reach 250, the fleet will reach 2,600 aircraft and the total volume of departures and arrivals will be close to 10 million.

Short-term outlook not as promising

This long-term growth scenario will create enormous pressures on the ATM system, even though the short-term outlook is much less buoyant.

Aviation in China has had a troubled year in 2008, with demand slashed by the bad weather at the start of the year, the Sichuan earthquakes and the security/visa restrictions associated with the Olympic Games. Passenger traffic growth had fallen deeply into negative territory by the 'Olympic month' of Aug-08. International passenger numbers have been hit much harder than domestic this year, particularly in short-haul markets, such as to/from Japan.

Aviation officials expect demand will start to pick up now Olympics-related security restrictions have been lifted. National Day holiday air traffic statistics have been encouraging, showing a 15% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers (29-Sep-08 to 05-Oct-08).

Addressing the limitations of the Chinese ATM system – a balanced approach

The CAAC has outlined three major limitations of the current Chinese ATM system that it seeking to address over the longer-term:

A. Management system and access policy restrictions means airspace resources are insufficient and used inefficiently and constraining growth. This is particularly the case in high density areas such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, where the capacity is near to saturation;

B. ATM infrastructure, including telecommunication, navigation and surveillance systems, are relatively inadequate, especially in Western China, where the geographic conditions are adverse and local economies are not as strong as their coastal counterparts. Transportation development is a major priority of the national Western Development Strategy, which is creating more urgent demands on the construction and improvement of ATM infrastructure in these regions, as well as introduction of new technologies and approaches;

C. Insufficient ATM infrastructure, especially information system development and application, and ATM operation mechanism, limits the management capability of flight activities in a comprehensive, orderly, efficient, and flexible manner.

To address these shortcomings, China aims to develop a New ATM system that attaches "equal importance" both to the use of traditional infrastructure and the introduction of new technologies.

According to the CAAC, the New ATM system will integrate the following sub-systems:

* Airspace management system;
* Flight plan management system;
* Air traffic flow management system,
* Air traffic services system,
* Aviation information system,
* Meteorological service system,
* ATM automation system,
* Dynamic management system for airports and runways; and
* Information integration & exchange network.

Transitioning to greater effectiveness

The new system is expected to accelerate the transition of ATM services in China in a broad range of areas.

The CAAC stated China has conducted research into each of these components and has begun to launch trial applications and construction in relevant fields.

The next 12 years until 2020 will see major progress in many fronts in China, as the nation's air travel market initially recaptures recent lost growth and returns to a rapid expansion trend. The challenges for the ATM system in China are clear, but the country is ready to adopt latest technology and approaches to help ready the system for the growth that lies ahead.