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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Update on ATM/SAR developments and implementation
Presented by Saudi Arabia
Agenda Item 3: Planning and implementation issues related to ATM/SAR
Updates from MID States on ATM/SAR Implementation
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Contents
Latest developments related to ATM/SAR.
Identified needs and priorities.
Challenges and difficulties.
Lessons learnt, and capacity building activities; and
Ongoing and Planned projects.
Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management: Overview on KPIs
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) & SAMCC facilities were enhanced by the installation of:
Deployment of MEOSAR System with 10 Medium Earth Orbit LUTs (MEOLUTs) channels: 6 Channels
in Jeddah ACC and four additional/extra channels in Riyadh ACC with local User Terminals/ work-
stations to track, receive and process alerts from COSPAS-SARSAT. The MEOSAR system is considered
as major enhancement of distress detection and processing capabilities in the MID region. Moreover,
SAMCC will introduce return link services- messages (RLS-M) in accordance with Cospas-Sarsat
requirements.
New Advanced Search and Rescue incident management system which supports SAR planning and
coordination, this system provides the aeronautical rescue coordination centres with a complete view of
SAR data, including emergency beacon locations and information about local SAR resources and facilities
(e.g. Vessels, helicopters and personnel).
ARCC/SAMCC are Staffed by 12 SAR Controllers/operators providing services and supporting distribution of
distress alerts and SAR operations 24h/7 within the service area. The Staff will be trained as SAR Mission
Coordinator using the New Advanced Search and Rescue incident management system.
Latest developments related to ATM/SAR
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
MEOLUTs Channels at Jeddah ACC
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
SAR Management System used by ARCC/SAMCC
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Latest developments related to ATM/SAR Cont’d
Deployment of New ATM System at Jeddah, Riyadh ACCs including providing of APP Services in
Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Gassim, and Hail)
A new ATM system with enhanced capabilities for traffic management, conflict detection, and automatic handover
was deployed at Jeddah and Riyadh ACCs with CWPs providing APP services for Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah,
Gassim and Hail. Jeddah and Riyadh ACCs have contingency configuration allowing each Center takeover the
whole traffic in case of major failure/outage in one of the centers. A real time exercise to check the contingency
configuration was conducted on 13 October 2021.
Deployment of New ATM System at Dammam and Abha Approach Centers.
The same new ATM system was deployed at Dammam and Abha Approach Centers with the same ATC tool
capabilities.
Deployment of remote connections using the new ATM system during Q3/Q4-2021
Under the enhancement of Air Navigation Systems and Procedures (EANSP), remote connections using the new
ATM system were set at Jazan, Taif, Tabuk, Yenbu, Najran and Khamis Towers. The Situation Data Display (SDD)
is mainly used for awareness purpose on traffic from/to the related airports and Electronic Flight Strips
Management system is used to manage the progress of the flights (Paper strip is used as backup).
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Deployment of new MSSR Radars serving Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam CTAs
To keep the redundancy level of ATS Surveillance within Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam CTAs/TMAs, new MSSR
radars were deployed to replace old radars that were dismantled due the end of lifecycle and lack of spare parts
Latest developments related to ATM/SAR Cont’d
Deployment of new MSSR Radar at Jazan Airport and introduction of ATC APP service
A new MSSR Radar is deployed at Jazan airport to support the introduction of approach service for this airport. The
ATC approach service will be operational by the Q2-2022 and will be provided remotely from Abha Approach
Center.
Deployment of two new RCAGs and three MSSR Radars at Um Almelh and Shaibah (Empty Quarter)
Under the upgrading of ATS communications and surveillance in KSA empty quarter, two new Remote
Communication Air/Ground (RCAGs) and three MSSR radars were installed. All facilities will use VSAT
connections/Links between the sites and Jeddah ACC. The commissioning is expected to be by Q1-2022.
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Latest developments related to ATM/SAR Cont’d
Deployment of IT platform for airspace reservation (Trial Phase)
A new platform was deployed for airspace reservation and activation. The platform is aiming to introduce
efficiency in the process of managing the airspace reservation requests and activation. It’s considered as enabler for
FUA.
Deployment of Integrated Electronic Flight Plan System (IFPS)
A new system for flight plan data processing and exchange allowing airspace users and operators to submit their
FPLs through web-based service. The System will check automatically the validity of the data items considering
the status of ATS routes, the flight profile, and active NOTAMs ..etc.
Cooperation with SITA to enhance the ground network related to Data Link Services (DLS)
Agreement with SITA to install 17 VHF/VDL (VHF Ground Stations - VGS) Mode 2 supporting Data Link
Services using selected RCAG and RTR sites. The VGS are used to provide DLS for Airlines Operational Control
(AOC) and ATS.
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
IT platform for airspace reservation (Trial Phase)
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Installation and operation of new Voice Communication Systems (VCS) at Jeddah & Riyadh
Installation and operation of new VCS at Jeddah and Riyadh ACCs with revision of IP backup system established
between the two ACCs to allow switchover and takeover all ATC sectors in case of major failure or outage at one
of the ACC Centers.
Latest developments related to ATM/SAR Cont’d
Upgrade of ATIS Systems
Implementation of new ATIS system to automatically extract METAR messages from the Central Database of the
National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) in Saudi Arabia and display it at ATIS system located in TWRs. This
system will be implemented for all ATS TWRs with local backup based on the arrangements between ATS TWRs
and MET Offices.
Upgrade of ATC Towers Communication Systems at Hail, Gassim and Jazan.
Upgrade of communication systems (VCS, Recorder, Master Clock) with redundant IP-LAN connections and
Main/Standby radios and backup portable radios.
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Introduction of 5NM radar Separation in CTAs at Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam & Abha
Optimization of radar separation by application of 5 NM within CTAs of Jeddah , Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, and
Abha.
Latest developments related to ATM/SAR Cont’d
Enhancement of PBN IFPs at Jeddah.
Enhancement of PBN IFPs by introduction of Point Merge Concept to allow efficient sequencing of arrivals and
increase capacity.
Progressive implementation of Flexible Use of Airspace through arrangements with military
Signature of 8 LoAs and an SLA related to CNS/ATM facilities.
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Progressive implementation of Flexible Use of Airspace through arrangements with military
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Needs
Specialized training targeting emerging activities and
new entrants (UAS)
Workshops on best practices and success stories related
to ATM enhancements/improvements
Involvement of ICAO MID Office to facilitate the
development and signature of working arrangements.
Regular updates and exchange of information on the
upcoming development related to ATM.
Priorities
Widely implementation of PBN
Signature of contingency arrangements between
States
Setting of AMHS/OLDI connections
High skilled ATM Staff to cope with needs and
upcoming developments.
Identified needs and priorities
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Challenges
Meet airspace user needs including new entrants (e.g.
UAS, Water ADs)
Management of new flying activities below 1000 FT.
Use of virtual/online technologies for the qualifications
of Staff
Introduction of new technologies and automation for
aeronautical data management and exchange.
Cyber-threats
Difficulties
Resources required for the development of
services
Slow recovery from COVID-19 pandemic
Replanning of CNS/ATM projects
Integration between all services providers for
automatic exchange of aeronautical data and
information.
Challenges and difficulties
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Lessons learnt, and capacity building activities
Success of ATM projects should focus on training, OJT and hands-on activities
Customize and quick guide documentation will support compliance and implementation of changes
Detailed Safety Risk Assessment will allow identification of Safety Requirements supporting efficient and
effective implementation of projects.
Introduction of e-Library and portal will ease access and sharing of the technical and operational documentation.
Encouragements will enhance the overall performance
Online/virtual meetings will increase the number of participants in any event and contribute to the enhancement
of capabilities.
Cooperation with universities will offer opportunities for the development of customize and local tools and
applications.
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Deployment of ATS digital remote TWRs at ALULA and for the new Red Sea airport (under construction )
Introduction of ATS digital remote TWRs to provide AFIS service at ALULA and ATC service at Red Sea airport.
The Red Sea Digital Remote TWR will be based on local solution where the digital TWR is based at the airport.
Ongoing and Planned projects
Deployment of ADS-B Ground Stations Network by the end of Q4-2022
Introduction of 13 ADS-B Ground Stations network to be used as secondary layer of ATS Surveillance and to
enhance the level of situational awareness for ATCOs within Non-radar Areas.
Introduction of CPDLC Service within areas with low and medium traffic
The new ATM System is capable of processing CPDLC messages and data. The feature was validated during the
deployment of the ATM system at Jeddah, Riyadh, ACCs, and Dammam, Abha APP Centers. SANS has a plan to
introduce the service by the end of 2022.
Extension of airspace “Class A” upper limit up to FL600 in Jeddah FIR
Extension of the Airspace Class A upper limit up to FL 600. This extension will affect all ATC Sectors, CTAs and
ATS routes. This will increase the capacity of the airspace by adding seven (7) additional IFR flight levels (East
bound:3 flight levels and westbound :4 flight levels).
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management
Presented by Saudi Arabia
Agenda Item 3: Planning and implementation issues related to ATM/SAR
MID ATFM Implementations
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KPI-01 Departure punctuality
Percentage of flights departing from the gate on-time
(compared to schedule time).
This is an airspace user and passenger focused KPI:
departure punctuality gives an overall indication of
the service quality experienced by passengers, and
the ability of the airlines to operate their schedule at
a given departure location.
KSA departure punctuality assessed based on the
four major international airport assessment is:
88.39%
KSA
13764
12167
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
KPI-02 Taxi-out additional time
Actual taxi-out time compared to an unimpeded/reference
taxi-out time.
This KPI will give an efficiency indication for
the ground movement operations. It includes an average of
queuing/sequencing that is taking place at the departure
runways, no-optimal taxi routing, intermediate aircraft stops,
aerodrome layout and CO2 emission considerations.
KSA Taxi-out additional time assessed based on the
four major international airport assessment is:
86.89%KSA 13763 11960
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
KPI-13 Taxi-in additional time
Actual taxi-in time compared to an
unimpeded/reference taxi-in time
This KPI will give an efficiency indication for
the ground movement operations. It includes an average
queuing/sequencing that is taking place at the departure
runways, no-optimal taxi routing, intermediate aircraft stops,
aerodrome layout and CO2 emission considerations.
KSA Taxi-in additional time assessed based on the
four major international airport assessment is:
98.48%
KSA
14622 14400
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
KPI-14 Arrival punctuality
KSA Arrival punctuality assessed based on the four
major international airport assessment is:
52.15%
KSA 14579
7603
Percentage of flights arriving at the gate on-time
(compared to the schedule time)
This is an airspace user and passenger focused KPI:
Arrival punctuality gives an overall indication of the service
quality experienced by passengers, and the ability of the
airlines to operate in accordance with their schedule at a given
destination.
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
ATFM Dashboard and data analysis
Its crucial to have a clear and overall required
data presented in a way, to ease the data
analysis and identifying the focused area to
improve and find solutions
In SANS, we developed a dashboard to ensure
having an overview overall performance area
where we can uplift operation and ensure on
time performance
Data outcome shall be coordinated to concerned
stakeholder internally and externally addressing
the issue and propose solution if applicable
ICAO KPI LINK “https://www4.icao.int/ganpportal/ASBU/KPI ”
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
ATFM Dashboard and data analysis
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ICAO MID ATM SG/7
ATFM Dashboard and data analysis
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Thanks..
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