Air Traffic Management (ATM) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the “dynamic, integrated management of air traffic and airspace—safely, economically and efficiently—through the provision of facilities and seamless services in collaboration with all parties and involving airborne and ground-based functions”1.
The international aviation planning framework has been set out by ICAO with the formation of the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP). As well as setting key policy principles for ICAO States to follow, the GANP and the GASP emphasise the need for Regions and individual ICAO States to develop their own regional and national ATM plans and State Safety Programmes.
Australia's Air Traffic Management Plan (ATMP) outlines Australia's current ATM system and the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and industry. It also sets out Australia's key challenges, priorities and short, medium and long term initiatives in ATM planning. Importantly, the future initiatives outlined in the ATMP are designed to enhance and maintain Australia's air navigation system; delivering safety, efficiency, capacity and environmental benefits to the aviation industry and the community.
The ATMP supports Australia's State Safety Programme which outlines Australia's aviation safety framework and, along with the Australian Airspace Policy Statement, helps determine Australia's key national ATM policy objectives and provides guidance to Australian Government agencies and industry in future ATM planning and investment.
As a signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention) the ATMP confirms Australia's commitment to consistency with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). Where Australian practices differ from SARPs, Australia will formally file a difference with ICAO.
The ATMP also supports one of ICAO's key air navigation objectives; increased capacity and improved efficiency in the global civil aviation system.
The ATMP has been prepared cognisant of the often significant rate of change in global ATM technology and procedures and the need to facilitate the Australian aviation industry's take-up of these developments. Australian and international experience does however, point to the need for establishing sufficient lead times to allow Government agencies and industry to transition safely and effectively in response to changes in communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS), and ATM practices and procedures.
The ATMP has been prepared by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (the Department), in consultation with other Government agencies, the aviation industry and the community, and will be reviewed at least every five years.
1Global Air Traffic Management Operational Concept 2005