Singapore Hosts ICAO Air Navigation Commission to Three-Day Familiarisation Visit

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) hosted the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Navigation Commission (ANC) to a three-day familiarisation visit in Singapore from 26 to 28 June 2023. 15 ANC members, including its President, Mr. Padhraic Kelleher, participated in the familiarisation visit, which is part of the ICAO ANC’s programme to familiarise members with developments in civil aviation in ICAO member states.

2          The ANC comprises commissioners who are qualified and experienced in the science and practice of aeronautics, and are appointed by the ICAO Council, the governing body of ICAO. The ANC plays an important role in advancing the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. It serves as an independent advisory body of the ICAO Council on all air navigation technical matters and utilises its expertise in the interest of the international civil aviation community. Its roles include managing ICAO’s technical work programmes relating to safety and air navigation services (ANS), and recommending Standards and Recommended Practices for adoption by all ICAO member states.  Representatives from Singapore have been a commissioner in the ANC since 2006, including serving as its President in 2010 and 2011.

3          During the visit to Singapore, CAAS briefed the ANC on Singapore’s plans to rebuild the Singapore air hub post-COVID, raise safety standards and transform the provision of ANS. In particular, CAAS shared with the ANC its multi-pronged efforts to transform the provision of ANS, which will significantly enhance safety, efficiency, capacity and sustainability, including:

a)     development of next generation ANS systems, to be operational around the end of this decade;

b)     research and development (R&D) into advanced concepts and technological enablers;

c)     collaborating with key partners on new air traffic management (ATM) concepts like trajectory-based operations which Singapore recently trialled with Japan, Thailand and the United States using a Boeing 787-10 ecoDemonstrator Explorer; and

d)     working with ICAO to raise ATM standards and capabilities in the region and the world.

4          CAAS also hosted the ANC to technical visits to the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre (SATCC) which showcases Singapore current ANS capabilities and the Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI), one of the research institutes funded by CAAS to build future ANS capabilities.

5          Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the CAAS said, “Singapore is honoured to host the President and members of the ICAO Air Navigation Commission. It provides an opportunity for us to engage the Commission on what we do in Singapore and how we serve the Asia-Pacific region and our plans to meet future demand which is set to grow exponentially. There is alignment of objectives and priorities; we will continue to work closely with the Commission to set and maintain standards and ensure that air travel remains safe, efficient and sustainable for all airspace users as volume grows.”

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg.

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