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The latest avionics packages are enabling the Middle East’s air transport sector to safely increase its air traffic, meet environmental standards and satisfy passenger demand, all the while cutting costs.

With air traffic figures on the rise in the Middle East, the demand for high-performance avionics technology has boomed over the last few years.

Even with air traffic growth slowing in 2009, Middle East carriers recorded 13% growth compared to the same months last year and the rapid expansion on international traffic growth that has been recorded in recent years is predicted to continue, despite the economic downturn.

Put simply, managing crowded skies, maintaining optimum safety levels and implementing cost-cutting measures mean that the aviation market cannot afford to purchase wasteful air traffic control systems and avionics equipment.

But, independent aviation consultancy, IBA Group says, during these tough times, airlines have to consider the financial losses incurred from buying new technology while, at the same time, remaining competitive.

“The major airlines are not just in a fight for financial survival – they have to compete at every level,” says IBA Group president and chief operating officer Phil Seymour.

“The depreciation [of buying new technology] can be horrifying. Keeping up with the latest technology means that this expenditure has to be written over six to eight years as well as incurring the ongoing maintenance costs of damage and repairs.”

Fortunately, the major players in the international avionics and aerospace sector, which include Honeywell, Rockwell Collins and Thales are making breakthroughs with the avionics packages they supply, and nowadays they are more cost-effective to upgrade.

Honeywell has developed a number of advanced technologies based on its collision avoidance technology, the ACAS II (Airborne Collision Avoidance System) and Mode S transponder system (offers traffic and weather information to pilots), which first entered the market in 2002. Since then, increased surveillance range options, improved reliability and advanced communication data links have all been developed within a modular architecture, making it easier and more cost-effective to upgrade the technology to fit in with future avionics technologies.

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Rockwell Collins is also focusing on serving airlines’ investment needs by providing surveillance architecture that can operate with future technologies. Rockwell’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) II, transponder and integrated surveillance systems is, the company says, bringing enhanced situational awareness and efficiency to flight crews.

But it is not only traffic congestion that places flight crews under pressure. As airlines adopt new international routes to bolster their networks, unpredictable weather threats need to be anticipated.

Honeywell’s multifunction radar display (MFRD) combines the display of weather radar, traffic, terrain, navigation maps and other data into a single space-saving multifunction instrument. Designed to work with various weather radar systems, TCAS, enhanced ground proximity warnings, flight management systems and navigation systems, the MFRD provides an upgrade path to additional systems while conserving valuable instrument panel space. Not only that, but it boasts the highest resolution display of its size in the industry.

Similarly, Rockwell Collins’ MultiScan system provides hazard detection technologies incorporating numerous features designed to give pilots a clear assessment of weather threats in the aircraft’s flight path.

“You can detect weather hazards that other systems simply can’t,” says a company spokesperson, “and get the most accurate and consistent weather hazard information no matter where you are in the world.

“From lightening and hail avoidance to enhanced turbulence detection, MultiScan helps pilots avoid weather dangers, providing passengers with a smooth and safe ride.”

High levels of awareness are critical when piloting an aircraft and technology provider Thales, has been selected to provide a comprehensive avionics package for the new long-range, wide-body Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, which is currently under development.

To date, the aircraft, which is scheduled to enter service in 2013, has 483 orders from some 30 customers, of which include Qatar Airways, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways. The avionics package includes an integrated modular avionics suite, interactive control and display systems and air data and inertial reference unit.

Thales says the technology has been designed to take into consideration the future operational needs of the overall air transport system, as well as the Middle East’s significant increase in air traffic.

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