Inmarsat has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to enhance Air Traffic Management (ATM) in Europe via a next generation data link communication system.
The Iris Service Evolution program will see Inmarsat head a consortium of 30 leading companies from across the aviation industry including Airbus, Boeing, NATS and Thales Alenia Space.
The consortium will develop technical, financial and operational roadmaps which aim to meet the long term requirements of Europe’s air traffic communications.
The program will also focus on using advanced satellite technology to improve aeronautical data link services. These enable flight plans to be continuously updated even when flights are on route to their destinations.
This can optimise air traffic management in European airspace and airport capacity, as well as reduce the cost of flight times, fuel burn and CO2 emissions.
Iris Service Evolution supports the SESAR (Single European Skies ATM Research) plan, which is the next generation air traffic management.
It offers critical developments that are required to deliver high performing aviation system in Europe.
Inmarsat Aviation, president, Leo Mondale said: "Air traffic management is under great pressure and there is no doubt that the digitalisation of cockpit communication is a vital building block of the future, opening the door for airlines to truly benefit from enhanced data utilisation."
"Iris will mark a new era of communication in the aviation industry and places Europe at the forefront of ATM innovation.
"Inmarsat pioneered satellite data link services in oceanic areas 25 years ago and we look forward to now bringing this expertise and knowledge to continental airspace.
"Together with ESA and members of the Iris consortium, we will demonstrate the important contribution that Iris will make to air traffic management in Europe."
European Space Agency, telecommunications and integrated applications, director, Magali Vaissiere said: "Iris brings safer air traffic management to airlines and their passengers."
"It is an outstanding example of how cooperation between commercial partners and institutions can create effective technical solutions that improve our everyday lives and make European companies more competitive in the world markets."
