Skykraft and Niusky Pacific Sign Collaboration Agreement for Space-Enabled Air Traffic Management System in Papua New Guinea
Skykraft, a global leader in space-enabled Air Traffic Management (ATM) services, has signed a collaboration agreement with Niusky Pacific, a leading air navigation service provider in the Pacific region. The agreement, signed on Wednesday, August 14th 2024, marks a significant advancement in the aviation industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance safety and operational efficiency in one of the world’s most challenging airspaces.
Under this collaboration, Skykraft and Niusky Pacific will work together to develop operational procedures for implementing a space-enabled ATM system over Papua New Guinea’s domestic and oceanic Flight Information Region (FIR). The space-enabled ATM services provided by Skykraft will greatly benefit Niusky Pacific, given its challenging oceanic sector and domestic airspace over rugged and remote terrain.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Skykraft on this transformative endeavor,” said Graham Blythe, Managing Director of Niusky Pacific. “Skykraft’s space-enabled ATM services will significantly enhance safety and efficiency throughout Papua New Guinea’s airspace, ultimately supporting the growth of the aviation sector.”
Niusky Pacific will be able to leverage Skykraft’s cutting-edge technology to communicate with and track aircraft across the entire FIR. This will greatly improve operational safety and achieve significant efficiencies, eliminating the need to install and maintain ground-based air traffic management infrastructure in remote and inhospitable areas.
“We are excited to collaborate with Niusky Pacific and are confident that our space-enabled ATM services will deliver real improvements to the management of Papua New Guinea’s airspace,” said Dr. Michael Frater, CEO of Skykraft. “Our ATM services will be available for testing in 2025 and operational service in 2026. This service will bring significant benefits to oceanic and remote regions, and will also improve performance in the world’s most congested airspace.”
By complementing existing ground-based radio systems, Skykraft’s services will enable seamless real-time communications between pilots and air traffic controllers through voice and data radio communications in the VHF band. The service is further enhanced by a surveillance service that utilizes ADS-B position broadcasts from aircraft, providing air traffic controllers with real-time data on aircraft positions.
Skykraft is in the process of building a large constellation of satellites in low-earth orbit to provide global air traffic management services from space. This constellation will provide VHF voice and data communications, surveillance services using ADS-B and UAT, and multi-lateration services for the validation of ADS-B and UAT messages received from aircraft, as well as independent aircraft position data in the event of GNSS failure. The initial constellation is set to enter service in 2025.
“We are committed to revolutionizing air traffic management through our space-enabled solutions,” said Dr. Frater. “Our services will bring significant benefits to the aviation industry, especially in remote and oceanic regions.”
For more information on Skykraft and their space-enabled ATM services, please visit their website at www.skykraft.com.au.
About Skykraft:
Skykraft is a global leader in space-enabled Air Traffic Management (ATM) services. Headquartered in Australia, Skykraft provides essential services to the international aviation sector, resetting performance and safety expectations globally for space-enabled ATM. Their ATM System delivers a dedicated service to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANPSs) worldwide, using a small satellite approach and dedicated ATM infrastructure.
Media Contact:
Iwan Morris
Email: iwan.morris@skykraft.com.au
Phone: +61 (0)408 137956
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.