- A new air traffic flow management (ATFM) system will be installed at the Johannesburg International Airport control centre and will include a disaster & recovery centre and training environment.
- Besides the ATFM system, the contract includes flight plan management (IFPS), UTM flow management (UFTM), and airspace management and coordination (AMCS) modules
Atech, an Embraer Group company, and Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), the state-owned entity responsible for air navigation in South Africa, have signed a contract to replace their current Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) system. The solution will be deployed at the main Air Traffic Control (ATC) Centre at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and will include a disaster & recovery centre to ensure operational continuity, as well as a training and simulation environment for staff training and system testing.
South Africa handles approximately 283,000 flights per year, connecting more than 20 domestic and 35 international destinations, and is one of the main air transport hubs on the African continent. The new system will enhance airspace planning and coordination by proactively balancing the number of scheduled flights with the available capacity of airports and sectors. This enables more accurate responses to factors such as weather, construction, or operational restrictions, allows schedule adjustments in coordination with airlines and airports, reduces delays, and increases operational predictability and safety.
“This new contract with ATNS reinforces our international expansion strategy and Atech’s commitment to delivering high-impact air traffic management solutions. The new system will result in a more efficient, resilient, and predictable operational environment, delivering tangible benefits for passengers, airlines, airports, and improving the competitiveness of South Africa’s civil aviation system,” said Rodrigo Persico, CEO of Atech.
The new ATFM system follows the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) document 9971 and incorporates demand-capacity balancing (DCB) and collaborative decision-making (CDM) tools to be used in the pre-tactical and tactical phases. Furthermore, airport slot management will allow airlines to negotiate schedules and submit flight intentions in advance, while facilitating strategic airspace planning.
The ATFM system also includes real-time dashboards for operation monitoring and key indicators (KPIs) for post-analysis assessment; coordination of cross-border ATFM measures with neighbouring Flight Information Regions (FIRs), allowing integration with an ATFM multi-nodal network.
The contract includes an Initial and Integrated Flight Plan System (IFPS) in alignment with EUROCONTROL requirements, resulting in reduced flight plan processing time and manual work. Other features of the new system include an Airspace Management and Coordination System (AMCS) for processing Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) at the strategic, pre-tactical, and tactical levels, and a UTM Flow Management system (UTFM), responsible for managing and coordinating the UTM airspace for ATNS.
The contract is expected to last two years, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
Why it matters:
- Improved Air Traffic Efficiency: The new ATFM system will balance flight demand with available capacity, reducing delays and enhancing operational predictability across South Africa’s busiest airspace.
- Enhanced Safety and Resilience: The inclusion of a disaster recovery centre and real-time monitoring tools ensures continuity of operations and faster response to weather, construction, or operational disruptions.
- Alignment with Global Standards: The system follows ICAO Document 9971 guidelines, integrates demand-capacity balancing and collaborative decision-making, and supports cross-border ATFM coordination with neighbouring FIRs.
- Support for Future Growth: With South Africa handling over 283,000 flights annually, the new solution provides scalable infrastructure to accommodate rising passenger and cargo volumes while maintaining efficiency.
- Boost to Civil Aviation Competitiveness: By enabling slot negotiation, flight plan automation, and UTM airspace management, the system strengthens South Africa’s position as a key aviation hub on the continent.
