Airways lands major China contract

Airways New Zealand has signed an agreement with China's Civil Aviation Second Research Institute (CASRI) to distribute its air traffic control training simulators throughout China.

The multi-year agreement provides CASRI with the exclusive distribution rights for Airways' state-of-the-art Total Control simulator throughout China, and positions Airways well to meet China's growing demand for simulator based ATC training.

Airways' General Manager Global Services Jamie Macdonald visited China recently to officially sign the distribution agreement with CASRI, and says the rapid growth in China's aviation industry opens up many new opportunities for Airways.

"In China there's a pressing need to train new air traffic controllers as well as provide refresher training for currently rated ATCs. This agreement is potentially worth several million dollars to Airways over the contract period, and we're delighted to be working alongside CASRI as our local partner," says Mr Macdonald.

CASRI is managed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and is involved in design, research and development of information management systems, air traffic control products, airport systems such as baggage handling systems, and carbon emissions and energy reduction technology. Their developments are being used in more than 300 aviation companies worldwide.

"Through this cooperation, CASRI and Airways can offer complementary skills and expertise to provide a better user experience for Chinese civil aviation customers. We look forward to building a long and successful relationship with Airways," says Luo Xiao, Director General of CASRI.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that nearly 70,000 flights a week operate to, from or within mainland China, representing around 10 percent of the global total. The increase in traffic is generating growth in aviation infrastructure, with plans by China to build 55 new airports over the next five years, increasing the total number of airports to 230.

Airways has been working in the Chinese market for many years – on aviation infrastructure projects, delivery of air traffic management software products, and ATC training. In September last year the air navigation services provider launched an exclusive partnership with the Civil Aviation Management Institute of China (CAMIC) for the delivery of ATC short courses in China over a three-year period.

The Airways Total Control simulator is one of the only ATC simulators in the world that imitates the full air traffic control environment, complete with real-world traffic scenarios and simulation of any weather conditions. Airways has simulators installed at its Christchurch and Palmerston North New Zealand training bases for use by New Zealand and offshore ATC trainees, and also in Dubai, Puerto Rico and Beijing – through its ATC training partnerships with Emirates Aviation University, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and CAMIC.

"The unparalleled realism and sophisticated, real-world simulation provided by Total Control will help ensure China's students are more work ready and efficient," Mr Macdonald says.

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