Air Traffic Services and Airport Operations
Executive Summary
Introduction
The aim of this project is to identify and discuss relevant Synergies, Dependencies, Vulnerabilities and Conflicts between Air Traffic Services and Airport Operations. Air Traffic Services promote the safe and efficient flow of aircraft both in the air and at airports and Airport Operations promote the safe and efficient flow of passengers and cargo between aircraft and airports. The International Civil Aviation Organisation sets Aviation Law. This is interpreted by the Civil Aviation Authority who then apply it to the UK Aviation System. National Air Traffic Services enforce this upon Air Traffic Control and Airport Owners enforce this upon Airport Operations.
Synergies
- ATS and AO work together to promote the safe and efficient transportation of Passengers and Cargo by air.
- ATS co-ordinate the movement of aircraft in and out the sky and on the ground and AO co-ordinate the movement of cargo and passengers between aircraft and terminal.
- In bad weather conditions when ATS cannot assist, AO vehicles are sent out to safely guide aircraft around the Airport.
- ATS and AO work together to co-ordinate parking stand and runway time slots in order to achieve efficient aircraft turnaround times.
- AO check Runways and Taxiways for safety and security threats under the control of ATS and AO then report any threats to ATS.
- AO provide airport emergency services and ATS co-ordinate the emergency responses.
- The demand placed on AO and ATS was much less in the past, but has increased rapidly and will do so in the future.
- The proposed Fifth Terminal at Heathrow and extra Runway at Gatwick will increase ATS and AO workload in the near future.
