Singapore Air Traffic Control

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Economic Development Board’s Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) are working with air transport IT firm SITA and Spain’s satellite platform Startical for a one-year study on how to improve air traffic control communications and to launch a purpose-built satellite-carrying communications equipment into space in 2023.
 
This study is the first of its kind and aims to shape international aviation laws for safer air travel.
 
Very High Frequency (VHF) communication systems are the most widely used systems for maintaining contact between ground and aircraft. This uses the “Line of Sight” transmission, which translates to approximately thirty miles for aircraft operating at 1,000 feet above ground level or around 135 miles for aircraft operating at 10,000 feet. VHF stations are ground-based which means there is limited or no VHF voice communication coverage over oceanic, mountainous, or remote areas.
 
The study will examine the possibility of using space-based VHF voice communications between pilots and air traffic controllers and its benefits over existing ground-based VHF voice communications. This could boost safety and efficiency, making aviation more sustainable.
 
Before the pandemic, Asia-Pacific was the fastest-growing region in terms of air traffic. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projected more than 200,000 flights to take off and land daily worldwide by mid-2030s.
 
For more information on market entry, please contact trade specialist Ng Haw Cheng.