Aeronautical Navigation Information Service

Sri Lanka to receive Rs. 1.2 billion as investment for upgrading Aeronautical Navigation Information Service, and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Certificate

by Jeewantha Jayathissa
Manager Aeronautical Information Management Unit – BIA

Sri Lanka has a Flight Information Region covering an area of 1778062.23 sq. km. Various foreign airlines operate via it throughout the year. Therefore, effective, accurate, and timely provision of aeronautical information is critical for a safe, economical, and environmentally friendly flight.

In 1944, the United Nations meeting in Chicago, US, decided that provisions should be made to exchange Aeronautical Information with unity on a global scale. Later, the outcome of the conference held on 15 May 1953 was the introduction of the Annex 15, which is the legal document that specifies the method to be followed by all member countries of the United Nations in providing an efficient & accurate Aeronautical Information Service. Thus, the Aeronautical Information Service of Sri Lanka commenced in 1981 with 10 officers under the Department of Civil Aviation.

In 1982, it was under the Civil Aviation Authority, and in 1983, it was transferred to the Airports and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (ltd) Company. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended that the Aeronautical Information Service of Sri Lanka be established as an independent department, but the service was initially to be established under the Air Traffic Control Department. Former Civil Aviation Director Generals have periodically provided suggestions to the Airport and Aviation Sri Lanka (Ltd)(AASL) to change this structural placement problem since 2001.

In 2018, Minister of Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva recognised the issue in Sri Lanka’s Aeronautical Information Service and directed the administration of then AASL to improve the Aeronautical Information Service in the AASL. He also took steps to make available high technical facilities to upgrade the Aeronautical Information Service to the Aeronautical Information Management in accordance with the new regulations taking place globally.

Accordingly, during his tenure, he was given the necessary guidance to invest Rs 1.2 billion to acquire the improved Top Sky AIM computer system from France’s Thales Company. Former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa took steps to establish an independent unit in AASL as an independent unit to increase the Aeronautical Information Service administratively while Minister Nimal De Silva was working to raise the aeronautical information field with the technical aspect.

An officer providing pre-flight briefing service to a pilot in the Flight briefing Unit at BIA

Major General (Retired) G A Chandrasiri, the current Chairman of the AASL, made significant contributions to putting Former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s recommendations into action. As a result, the new computer operating system installed in the Aeronautical Information Service will enable the AASL to provide an efficient and cost-effective quality service beginning today (October 10).

Today, Sri Lanka’s Aeronautical Information Service has acquired the ISO 9001:2015 status certificate and is now able to release the status of the data in the services provided by the Aeronautical Information Service according to International Quality Standards.

By installing the new computer operating system, the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), which is considered as the Bible of the Aeronautical Information Service, will be easily accessible and updated using digital technology. It provides the special convenience of paperless use of the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

In the same way, in the method of updating the Aeronautical Information publication, the status of the inspection process also comes to a high-quality state and the related database becomes efficient with high accuracy and quality.

It is a special advantage that the data contained in the aeronautical maps and charts will be more accurate by digitization of the cartography section related to the Aeronautical Information Service as well as being able to update the new changes timely and properly.

In the same way, the ability to quality management of Information related to aeronautical maps and charts production becomes more advanced.

Submitting the Flight Plan is a mandatory document for a flight, now the pilot or his representative can submit his Flight Plan online without reporting to the Air Traffic Services Reporting Office.

Similarly, the pilot can quickly obtain all Pre-Flight Information Bulletins that will affect his safety during the flight. Additionally, the pilot can obtain updates to his Flight Plan relating to changes in other Flight Information Regions. Similarly, the quality of the Flight Plan management process can be improved.

Furthermore, the Aeronautical Information Service officer working in the International NOTAM office will be able to easily handle the exchange of temporary changes in Aeronautical Information Publication (NOTAM) to which the pilot refers. The installation of this new computer operating system will also improve the capability of the NOTAM system to undergo high-level quality management.

To carry out the tasks efficiency, an Aeronautical Information Exchange Model Database (AIXM Database), which is the most essential part of the Aeronautical Information Service, has been received by the new computer system at the Aeronautical Information Service Headquarters (AIS HQ).

The Department of Electronic and Air Navigation Engineering played a vital role in achieving these achievements.

The ability to place the Aeronautical Information Service in proper management structure has become a great resource to the AASL to facilitate International Civil Air Navigation management in the 21st century. This special honor goes to the current chairman Maj. Gen (retired). G A Chandrasiri.

It is also prudent, as a national responsibility, that future governments focus on the advancement of Aeronautical Information Service in accordance with the growing conditions in the field of future Global Air Navigation as well.