ATc celebrates 'International Air Traffic Controllers Day'
Sumith Tennakoon Air Traffic Controller
Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) all over the world celebrated
“International Air Traffic Controllers Day” recently. This day was a Red
Letter Day for all Air Traffic Controllers in Sri Lanka, working at the
Bandaranaike International Airport Katunayake and Ratmalana Airport as
Sri Lanka celebrates 100 Years of Aviation in the country.
It is a milestone for all of us in the Industry, Airlines, Travel
Agents, Regulators and Air Navigation Service Providers who can
celebrate the, “Centenary Anniversary of Aviation in Sri Lanka” with a
positive frame of mind as the industry is growing everyday. The growth
of International Aviation, during the last year has been around 10% and
the Domestic Aviation is also gearing up to meet the demands. The
government of Sri Lanka has already taken measures to face the
challenges of the future aviation growth in Sri Lanka.
Commissioning of the second International Airport in Hambantota (HIA)
in 2012 is a huge challenge taken by the government of Sri Lanka and
dream coming true for all of us in the industry. Airport and Aviation
Services (SL) Ltd, the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in Sri
Lanka, the client of this project with the support of the Ministry of
Aviation, Regulatory Authority and the main Contractors has taken up the
challenge and well on course for commissioning the second International
Airport in this historic year of aviation in Sri Lanka. Coincidently in
the future HIA will celebrate 100 years when the country is celebrating
200 years of aviation.
Ratmalana Airport, the first Airport in Sri Lanka, getting back its
International Status in August 2012 is also an achievement in Sri Lanka
in this historic year. Already a few aircraft operations have taken
place and the authorities have been very successful in handling them.
Ratmalana Airport has a huge potential to be developed as a City Airport
to cater to the Medium Range Aircraft operations of International
Corporate, Medical, Technical Transists (Refueling and Crew Rest) and
the Domestic Aviation sector if the infrastructure is developed to meet
the necessary requirements. But the real challenge is the limitations in
expansion process on ground as well as in air.
The parliament, the Galle Road, the Zoological Garden and the Swamps
around Attidiya are few of the obstacles. However, if the authorities
are positive and bold, with necessary expertise and investments the
objective can be achieved.
The Stage 2 of Phase II development project of Bandaranaike
International Airport (BIA) will also commence in 2013. As BIA reaching
its capacity, completion of the Phase II early is going to be very
important to meet the demand of Air Traffic Growth in BIA.
Considering the above growth and the development, the Air Traffic
Controllers (ATC) in Sri Lanka are faced with a huge uphill task as the
key players in providing Safe, Efficient and Sustainable Air Navigation
Service. Human Resources and Infrastructure in Air Traffic Control
Service are some of the issues which are challenging. In order to meet
the need a rapid recruitment and a training program is already under way
at the Civil Aviation Training Centre, Ratmalana. The main Area Control
Centre (ACC) at Ratmalana is modernized and will be available with an
advance Air Traffic Control System in order to provide safe and
efficient Air Traffic Control Service.
As we celebrate the “International Air Traffic Controllers Day” on
the 20th October, a number of measures have been planned to celebrate
the day, with the view of increasing Productivity in the Colombo Flight
Information Region.” Providing Pilot Friendly and Airline Beneficial,
fuel saving methods for all the airlines will be practised on a regular
basis such as User Preferred Routes (UPRs – Trials are already in
progress with some airlines. All the way from the departure airport to
the destination airport). Continuous Decent Operations (CDOs),
Continuous Climb Operations (CCOs), Performance Based Navigational
Departures and Arrivals, Minimizing ATC Delays.
These methods will not only benefit airlines as fuel savings but will
have a huge impact on the Environment Excellence in reducing carbon
emissions. The environment impacts are another challenge faced by
industry.
To mitigate the environment impact the Air Traffic Controllers have a
Vitol role to play as it is a challenge for the sustainable aviation
growth in Sri Lanka, considering the Carbon Foot Print in the aviation
industry.
During a survey conducted by the Air Traffic Controllers at the ACC
Ratmalana in the May 2012, it was recorded that 3,938 tons of Carbon is
emitted to the environment within the Colombo Flight Information Region
by 225 Aircraft movements. (Over Flights, Arrivals and Departures). The
challenge for the ATCs will be to reduce the Carbon Emissions which is
increasing everyday with the growth of the industry. The above practices
and the own initiatives as ATCs to minimize delays on aircraft will
certainly contribute to the cause and for the future of the country too.
We only can celebrate the growth, if the industry is sustainable in
terms of Safety and Environmentally Sustainable.
Safety is the primary challenge in this industry, as air
transportation is still the safest mode of transport in the world and
the rate of growth is very high. Every ATC system is challenged on this
matter. Sri Lanka has done well to satisfy the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the Safety Audit Program in the
implementation of Safety Standards in Aviation, in accordance with all
the annexes, was ranked 19th in the world and 4th in the Asia and
Pacific Region. This is a huge plus point for the Aviation in Sri Lanka
but a challenge too to maintain the level of safety.
If we are unable to maintain the safety levels in our FIR in terms of
Infrastructure, Professional Service, Quality and with the pace of the
neighbouring country's development, Sri Lanka will lose the huge upper
airspace. The pressure will be enormous from the International Aviation
bodies such as IATA and ICAO as the present trend in airspace management
is the “Single Airspace Concept” for seamless aircraft operations, which
is already in practice in Europe but not very far, it may happen in this
part of the world too.
As a country if we are not proactive to meet the challenges, I doubt
that our celebrations in the future will be faded. As Air Traffic
Controllers let's face the challenges, leading from the front as a
professional unit in order to celebrate the “World ATC Day” in many
years to come. I wish all the Air Traffic Controllers all over the world
a “Happy ATC Day 2012”. |