Air Navigation Services provider Papua New Guinea Air Services Limited (PNGASL) has partnered with Aireon to implement its air traffic surveillance service.

Under this agreement, PNGASL will deploy Aireon’s space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) in its Port Moresby Flight Information Region (FIR).

This deployment of real-time air traffic surveillance of all ADS-B equipped aircraft will take place in the coming months.

PNGASL CEO and managing director captain Ted Pakii said: “Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for PNGASL as we continuously strive to provide the highest standards of safety and efficiency for air traffic within and routed through our airspace.

“The Aireon surveillance data will strengthen all operations overseeing our FIR, from improving our controller’s workload and broadening their capabilities, to facilitating user-preferred routes for our customers.

“Additionally, Aireon’s technology will facilitate seamless services for the aviation industry in PNG and within the region and enable more accurate positioning for search and rescue operations among other benefits.”

PNGASL started operations in 2008 and has since depended on ground-based infrastructure to monitor the region’s challenging terrains. The company also relied on local third-party communications links.

The space-based ADS-B is expected to help PNGASL overcome the geographic and technical challenges, as well as boost its surveillance capabilities.

Port Moresby FIR shares its borders with Airservices Australia managed Brisbane FIR and the Oakland Oceanic FIR by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Aireon CEO Don Thoma said: “PNGASL plays a significant geographic role, being a main thoroughfare for traffic going from the north to the south and vice-versa. They are looking to provide the best-in-class services to their customers and stakeholders and real-time oceanic and terrestrial air traffic surveillance will absolutely accomplish that.”