Regional Aviation Conference Opens in HKThe International Air Transport Association (IATA) Millennium Asia and Pacific Regional Technical Conference opened Wednesday, attracting over 120 representatives from airlines, international and airline organizations, the aviation industry and air traffic services providers.The three-day conference is held in two parts. The first is a business session to meet the governance requirements, and the second is a symposium, with the theme topic of "Exploitation of the Capabilities of Modern Transport Aircraft," exploring the capability of modern aircraft to enhance safety and increase operational efficiency. "Many airline operators have upgraded their fleets to enable advantage to be taken of the operational and safety improvements offered by the Satellite-Based Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems." said Albert Lam, Director of Hong Kong Civil Aviation, at the opening ceremony of the conference. "To achieve the maximum benefit of these capabilities, it is clearly essential that the enhancements provided by the manufacturers and funded by the operators are matched in tandem by air traffic control authorities through the timely provision of up- to-date air route systems, associated infrastructure and the corresponding ground elements of CNS/ATM," he said. "Through the strenuous efforts of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), IATA, the airline operators and air traffic services providers, various trials on the CNS/ATM systems have been conducted." Lam said. the CNS/ATM systems will minimize airspace constraints and reduce traffic congestion, which will enable aircraft to operate within their most optimum flight envelope, commensurate with achieving a marked increase in flight safety. In addition, by operating on more direct routes, a reduction in aircraft fuel consumption is also feasible. Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department is now conducting a study and trial of the system for implementation and transition in 2003- 2016, according to Lam. Lam also urged the attendees of the conference to give support and encouragement in maintaining the present momentum to achieve a safe, economic and expeditious movement of aircraft around the world. "We will fully support this aim and are committed to maintain Hong Kong as a regional and international aviation center," he added. IATA requires that technical conference are held at two yearly intervals. |
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