Canada is the second largest country in the world. With a total of 18 million square kilometres of civil airspace, plus the North Atlantic, it registers approximately 12 million flights a year, or about 33,000 a day. The management and safety of this enormous airspace is the responsibility of NAV CANADA, an entity that has become a pillar of innovation and efficiency in Canadian airports and skies.
To drive the development of air traffic management systems in Canada, the Spanish technology company Indra and NAV CANADA signed an agreement last February to set up the centre that manages the country’s air navigation network with the latest systems. This will provide each control centre with a complete vision and better optimisation of the air operations that are conducted in Canada’s complex airspace and that affect it.
Among the first and most significant developments of this partnership will be to advance the introduction of Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) in Canada, which paves the way for a more comprehensive view of aircraft flight from take-off to landing. Using advanced algorithms and predictive systems, TBO can accurately calculate routing and anticipate the evolution of air traffic over a broad horizon. This capability improves the planning and coordination of any type of operation and consequently reduces congestion and optimises flight paths.
As integral components of the TBO initiative, Indra and NAV CANADA will work on the deployment of a central Flight Data Processing System (FDPS) and an Air Traffic Flow Management System (iACM), further enhancing the overall efficiency and safety of air traffic management.
Fine-tuned technology
With Indra’s new FDPS system, NAV CANADA will be able to process and manage flight data with exceptional accuracy. The solution can calculate flight paths and predict the evolution of air traffic further in advance, which results in better coordination and planning.
Indra technology in the FDPS is crucial to preventing congestion and optimising flight routes. Not only does this help operational efficiency, it also significantly cuts fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by minimising unnecessary hovering patterns prior to landing.
Meanwhile, iACM will integrate information from multiple control centres, allowing for more flexible air traffic management. Such integration facilitates the communication and exchange of data across different regions of Canadian airspace, improving flow and reducing the likelihood of delays. Additionally, iACM will allow NAV CANADA to adapt quickly to changes in traffic and adverse weather conditions.
These systems will integrate information processing from Canada’s area control centres, automatically notifying the system of any changes to flight plans between each of their respective airspaces. The upshot of this increased flexibility is that it will improve air traffic flow both within Canadian airspace as well as across the network as a whole.
All of this is expected to produce much more efficient and more sustainable routes for air carriers, while providing greater operational strength and meeting the need for increased capacity to handle the ever-growing flight demand of a continually expanding industry.
Expansion of the iTEC alliance
In March, NAV CANADA joined the iTEC Alliance with air navigation service providers from Germany (DFS), the United Kingdom (NATS), Spain (Enaire), the Netherlands (LVNL), Norway (Avinor), Lithuania (Oro Navigacija) and Poland (PANSA) after the signing taking place at Airspace World in Geneva. With the addition of Canada in the alliance, it now manages a combined 26 million square kilometres of airspace more efficiently and with greater environmental sustainability.
This important new member is the result of an agreement to go beyond European borders and jointly build air traffic systems that promote more efficient and environmentally friendly aviation.
As such, the cooperation between Europe and North America will be strengthened and global air traffic will reach new levels of efficiency thanks to more collaborative management. In addition, this alliance will also enable transoceanic flights to be managed with the same integrated technology from start to finish, allowing for a smoother management of air traffic on both sides of the Atlantic.
As one of the main technology partners in managing the European digital sky, Indra, together with NAV CANADA, has defined a new package of operational enhancements and state-of-the-art architecture solutions to give new impetus to the development of a system that is key to the project’s development.
On the way to a single sky
The iTEC SkyNex system, developed by Indra, will be deployed at NAV CANADA. The iTEC SkyNex facilitates the implementation of Trajectory Based Operations (TBO), providing a holistic view of each flight and improving accuracy in route planning. Employing advanced algorithms, iTEC SkyNex optimises flight paths in real time. Such adaptive capabilities allow air traffic controllers and airlines to adjust flight routes efficiently in response to changes in air traffic and weather conditions.
In addition, the platform improves operational visibility, which enables airlines to plan their operations better and reduce costs associated with potential delays.
Innovation and sustainability
Not only does Indra’s technology increase operational efficiency, but it also improves predictability and contributes to reducing environmental impact. The capability of iTEC SkyNex to optimise flight routes and reduce fuel consumption has a direct impact on the sustainability of air operations. Less fuel consumption results in lower CO2 emissions, which contributes to the aviation industry’s overall global carbon footprint reduction targets.
Sustainability is a fundamental pillar of Indra’s strategy. As a company, Indra is dedicated to developing technological solutions that not only improve operational efficiency, but also have a positive impact on the environment. This includes the implementation of technologies that enable greater collaboration and operational predictability, aligning with the Aviation Systems Block Upgrades (ASBU) fostered by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Global impact
By incorporating NAV CANADA into iTEC and deploying Indra’s new platforms, global air traffic is expected to reach new levels of efficiency and sustainability. Together, these initiatives will help manage flights reduce delays, costs and emissions, making for a safer and more environmentally friendly future for global aviation.
The impact of these innovations is not limited to Canada. Indra-developed technology is being deployed in multiple countries, leading to improved air traffic management worldwide. With the interoperability of Indra’s systems, there is greater coordination between different regions, which is essential for managing the growing volume of international air traffic.
Also, the adoption of iTEC SkyNex and other advanced air traffic management systems facilitates the integration of new technologies and operational concepts, such as autonomous flights and airspace management at higher altitudes. It opens the door to future innovations and improvements in air transport efficiency.
The future of aviation is closely linked to technological innovation and sustainability. Indra, through its strategic alliances and focus on developing advanced solutions, is playing a crucial role in shaping this future. The collaboration with NAV CANADA and the expansion of the iTEC Alliance are testimony to Indra’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainability.
Indra solutions are designed to address current and future challenges in air traffic management, while ensuring that the industry can enjoy sustainable growth. This includes the development of technologies that improve safety, increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact, ensuring that the growth of air traffic does not compromise the planet’s sustainability.
With more than 11,000 air traffic installations worldwide, Indra is one of the few companies in the world with a portfolio of next-generation solutions capable of managing a flight from gate to gate, from take-off to destination, and its technology ensures the safety of 85% of the passengers who take a flight every day in the world, making it one of the world leaders in the sector.