Skykraft and Niusky Pacific have announced a new collaboration agreement to develop operational procedures for implementing a space-enabled Air Traffic Management (ATM) system over Papua New Guinea’s airspace. This partnership, signed on Wednesday 14 August, 2024, marks a significant advancement in the aviation industry, as it will leverage cutting-edge technology to improve safety and operational efficiency in one of the world’s most challenging airspaces.
Under this partnership, Skykraft will provide space-enabled ATM services that will greatly benefit Niusky Pacific, particularly in its oceanic sector and domestic airspace over rugged and remote terrain. This new system will allow for seamless real-time communication and tracking of aircraft across the entire Flight Information Region (FIR), enhancing operational safety and achieving significant efficiencies. It will also eliminate the need for ground-based air traffic management infrastructure in remote and inhospitable areas.
According to Graham Blythe, Managing Director of Niusky Pacific, “Skykraft’s space-enabled Air Traffic Management services will significantly enhance safety and efficiency throughout Papua New Guinea’s airspace and ultimately support the growth of the aviation sector.”
Dr Michael Frater, CEO of Skykraft, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Skykraft is excited to collaborate with Niusky Pacific and are confident that our space-enabled Air Traffic Management services will deliver real improvements to the management of Papua New Guinea’s airspace.” He also added that the services will be available for testing in 2025 and operational service in 2026, bringing significant benefits to oceanic and remote regions and improving performance in congested airspaces.
The partnership between Skykraft and Niusky Pacific will utilize Skykraft’s Air Traffic Management Constellation, a large constellation of satellites in low-earth orbit that will provide global air traffic management services from space. This constellation will offer VHF voice and data communications, as well as surveillance services using ADS-B and UAT. It will also provide multi-lateration services for validating ADS-B and UAT messages received from aircraft, and independent aircraft position data in the event of GNSS failure.
Skykraft, headquartered in Australia, is a leading provider of ATM services from space, serving the global market for air traffic surveillance and communications, especially over remote and oceanic regions. The company uses a small satellite approach and dedicated ATM infrastructure to deliver services to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANPSs) worldwide. Their ATM System provides an essential service to the international aviation sector and will set new standards for performance and safety in space-enabled ATM.
For media inquiries, please contact Iwan Morris at iwan.morris@skykraft.com.au or +61 (0)408 137956.
