The Air Traffic Engineering Services Division (AESD) is responsible for the design, planning, coordination, provision, commissioning, enhancement and maintenance of air traffic control (ATC) systems as well as communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) facilities.

Smooth operation of ATC Systems

The ATC Systems, which consist of eight major systems in East ATC Centre and North ATC Tower, were fully commissioned in November 2016 with the launch of the final centrepiece system namely the Air Traffic Management System (ATMS). To ensure smooth operation of the ATMS, an ATMS technical team comprising electronics engineers, ATMS contractor and CAD maintenance service provider was established to oversee the deployment of software builds and system adaptation updates.

Since the full commissioning, the ATMS had successfully handled the increased traffic during the traditional busy travel periods of Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year, Easter and summer holidays. During the peak air traffic flow of the Lunar New Year in January 2020, the ATMS handled 2 495 flights on 23 January, setting a new single-day record. In 2019, the total number of aircraft movements handled by the ATMS rose by 3.1% as compared with 2018.

Weather-wise, during the period when the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) striving for speedy recovery from the impact of super typhoons and tropical storms in the past three years, the ATMS effectively assisted air traffic controllers in clearing backlog traffic and coping with the challenges brought by adverse weather.

Experience Sharing with Overseas Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs)

(i) Visits to Air Traffic Flow Management Centres in Belgium, the USA and Japan

The CAD delegation comprising electronics engineers and air traffic flow management personnel visited Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) Centres in Belgium, the USA and Japan in April and May 2019. Through exchanging views with specialists from different regions, observing ATFM operations and studying the relevant systems, the team broadened their horizons on ATFM planning and operations. Valuable knowledge and experience gained from these visits were beneficial to the CAD on planning and development of a new ATFM Centre and the relevant systems.

(ii) Presentation on Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) in Seoul at invitation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

The CAD accepted the invitation of the ICAO to give a presentation on GBAS trial at HKIA at the GBAS/Satellite-based Augmentation System (SBAS) Implementation Workshop held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in June 2019.

(iii) Study visits to GBAS/SBAS in China and Japan

The CAD delegation conducted site visits to the GBAS at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Ishigaki Airport and Sendai Airport in Japan in July 2019 to share experience with local experts about GBAS implementation and keep abreast of the latest development of the technology, which could facilitate the planning and implementation of GBAS at the HKIA.

(iv) Visits to Area Control Centres performing Medium Term Conflict Detection Operations in UK and Italy

To gain experience from ANSPs who had successfully implemented the Medium Term Conflict Detection (MTCD), representatives from the CAD conducted site visits to the two operational installations at Swanwick Area Control Centre (ACC) in the UK and Rome ACC in Italy in September 2019. Learning how the implementation of MTCD was able to benefit the operations of the two ACCs, the CAD could explore and evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the MTCD implementation in the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (HKFIR).

(v) Visit to Wuhan Tianhe International ATC Tower

The CAD delegation visited the ATC Tower of Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in April 2019. Standing at 115 meters high, the ATC Tower of Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, which started operating in 2016, was the tallest of its kind in the Mainland. The staff at the Tower demonstrated the application of electronic flight strips system during the visit.

(vi) The 20th Technical Working Group Meeting cum 34th Task Force Meeting on Aeronautical Radio Communications

The 20th Technical Working Group cum 34th Task Force Meeting on Aeronautical Radio Communications to discuss Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) issues on air-ground Very High Frequency (VHF) communication in the HKFIR was convened and attended by the CAD, Office of the Communications Authority, Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other relevant Mainland stakeholders. A more effective coordination mechanism was established for the CAD to report RFI issues direct to Guangzhou's telecom authority.

Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU)

In accordance with the ICAO’s ASBU framework and in consideration of the priorities stipulated in the Seamless ATM Plan for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, the CAD continued to collaborate with stakeholders in the aviation industry to develop strategies for phased implementation of ASBU modules in Hong Kong through the ASBU Planning and Implementation Committee (ASBU PIC), as well as review the latest implementation status and steer relevant planning and implementation in Hong Kong. The CAD organised the Forth ASBU PIC Meeting in June 2019 with active participation from stakeholders including the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Hong Kong Observatory, International Air Transport Association, airlines, etc.

Embedded Safety Culture

Safety is the top priority of CAD. With the support of senior management, safety culture has been gradually developed through AESD’s electronics engineers and technical experts in all safety risk management activities. The “SMS implementation at AESD” survey conducted in 2019 showed that the safety awareness has taken root in the division and become part of our daily routines. Staff proactively participated in safety management activities such as safety risk assessment workshop and training.

Within the year, follow-up works on safety audits were duly completed and the AESD had continuously monitored the Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Safety Performance Targets (SPTs) for CNS equipment to ensure their operations were in compliance with safety standards.

Cyber Security

To fulfil the ICAO cyber security requirements for air navigation service equipment, a set of cyber security requirements was developed and included in the CAD Project Procedure Handbook in 2019. In procuring new systems, there is a requirement for the contractor to provide supporting deliverables and evidence to substantiate the system design comply with the cyber security requirements. In addition, amendment to the “Cyber Security Handbook for Air Traffic Services” was released by the AESD in July 2019 to enhance the cyber security management of the connectivity between CAD systems and external systems.

Use of HKIA as Base for Flight Check Aircraft

In accordance with ICAO requirement, routine flight checks for navigational aids at HKIA are conducted twice a year, which usually take place in May and November to avoid peak traffic seasons. Timely start of flight check in early mornings before air traffic start building up is crucial to minimise the potential impact on both HKIA and ATC operations. The Flight Inspection Centre (FIC) of CAAC has been providing flight check service at HKIA for many years. For the flight checks starting from May 2018, the CAD successfully coordinated with stakeholders including FIC, AAHK and Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre to achieve punctuality in flight check start and completion time with the base at HKIA. At the 12th Annual Tripartite Flight Check Coordination Review Meeting held in April 2019, the AESD reviewed the relevant arrangement with FIC and AAHK. All stakeholders gave a positive feedback and agreed the continuous use of HKIA as the flight check base.

In addition, the CAD was invited to participate in the Annual National Flight Check Meeting organised by the CAAC FIC for the first time. At the meeting held in Beijing in May 2019, the CAD delegation took the opportunity to share the development of flight inspection since the opening of HKIA and effective ways to secure flight inspection at a busy airport with high traffic volume.

Satellite-based CNS/ATM Systems

To comply with the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan, the CAD has formulated an implementation plan and progressively put various satellite-based CNS/ATM systems and services in place. The Pre-Departure Clearance Two-way Datalink Service, Electronic Flight Strip System and Arrival Manager System have been working at a satisfactory level for some years and have integrated with the ATMS, bringing operational benefits to aviation stakeholders. The latest development of the other systems is highlighted below:

(i) Air Traffic Services Inter-facility Data Communication (AIDC)

The AIDC, being one of the key functions integrated in the ATMS, supports electronic transfer of aircraft with Sanya, Guangzhou and Taipei ACCs to enhance flight safety and also operational efficiency through the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network. Upon satisfactory completion of various technical tests and operational trials, the AIDC operation between Hong Kong and Manila ACCs also commenced in May 2019.

(ii) Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS)

The A-SMGCS provides enhanced surveillance of aircraft and vehicle movements on the airfield and offers conflict and runway incursion alerting functions for greater ATC safety and efficiency in the airport. To cope with the increasingly busy airfield movements and various new infrastructure developments at HKIA, the AESD has engaged the equipment supplier to re-assess the signal coverage as well as to enhance the safety alerts. Both tasks were completed in November 2019.

(iii) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast System (ADS-B)

The commissioning of ADS-B system within HKFIR has enhanced the safety and efficiency of ATC services provided by the CAD. In accordance with ICAO's relevant guidelines, the CAD would continue monitoring the performance of on-board equipment to ensure full compliance of the requirements for the data broadcast by the equipped aircraft.

(iv) GBAS

The GBAS can augment the precision of aircraft approach and landing operations using the Global Navigation Satellite System. The GBAS trial conducted by the CAD at HKIA was successfully completed in early December 2018. The trial proved the feasibility of applying GBAS in support of precision approach procedures at HKIA. The CAD also participated in relevant ICAO workshops and conducted fact-finding visits to airports in the Mainland and Japan with GBAS installation to facilitate the planning and implementation of forthcoming GBAS deployment at HKIA.

(v) Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM)

The CAD successfully launched the A-CDM platform in both desktop and mobile versions on the Internet back in 2013 and received encouraging feedback and support from the aviation industry. Building on the sound implementation of the CAD's A-CDM platform, AAHK further enhanced and extended the A-CDM programme and launched an enhanced A-CDM platform for establishing data exchange schemes among the aviation community in early 2018, leading to the full A-CDM operation at HKIA. The CAD would continue to fully support and provide advice on both technical and operational aspects for enhancing HKIA's overall operational efficiency.

To assist the steering of regional A-CDM development, the CAD continued to take an active role in the ICAO Regional Task Force meetings to share our experience at HKIA and to advocate the development of the regional roadmap. The CAD will continue to actively participate in and promote the interoperability between regional A-CDM and the integration and development of ATFM.

(vi) Digital Tower (DT)

The CAD has all along been exploring advanced and reliable technologies to ensure the provision of safe and efficient ATC services. In 2019, the AESD conducted a trial of the DT technology at HKIA. The DT facilities (DTF) made use of high-resolution surveillance cameras with video recognition technology to provide digitised video panoramic and hotspot views of HKIA. Aircraft and vehicles images displayed on those panoramic and hotspot views were augmented with relevant information. The efficacious trial demonstrated that the DT technology was able to enhance overall efficiency and situation awareness, especially under low visibility situation, and it also served as a valuable reference for the feasibility of future implementation of DT technology at HKIA.

To promote the application of the latest aviation technologies to the general public, the CAD showcased a simulated exhibit of DTF and interactive controllers' working position in the CAD Open Day 2019 and the HKIA Career Expo 2019 in April and May 2019 respectively. Visitors were introduced to the application of such technologies and their facilitation to airport operation. The CAD's exhibition received an overwhelming response from the visitors.

(vii) Asia Pacific Common Regional Virtual Private Network

The 54th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions, organised by ICAO, formulated an action for states to expedite Common Aeronautical Virtual Private Network (CRV) implementation for the region by end 2020 pursuant to their cost benefit analysis. In support of this initiative, the CAD coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to implement CRV so as to improve efficiency of the Inter Area Speech Circuit (IASC) and Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (AMHS) services between Hong Kong and Manila ACCs. The CRV implementation was launched in two phases. The first phase was CRV-Voice supporting the IASC services between Hong Kong and Manila, which had been put into operation since August 2018, marking the first city-pair in the region to migrate the conventional IASC to the CRV. The second phase was CRV-Data to support AMHS connection between Hong Kong and Manila. After completion of technical trials, safety reviews, and Pre-Operational Trial, the new connection was launched in May 2019.

System Wide Information Management (SWIM)

SWIM is an integral part of ICAO's Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and covers a number of the ASBU modules derived from GANP. SWIM aims to promote the exchange of aviation information (flight, meteorological and aeronautical) on a common platform and standards among aviation stakeholders.

(i) Participation in SWIM Demonstration Event

The CAD always supports ICAO in the promotion and implementation of SWIM in APAC region. Along with other pioneering ANSPs, the CAD prepared and participated in a SWIM demonstration event to show how operational efficiency can be improved through real-time exchange of SWIM information. The event was conducted in turn in Thailand and Singapore in November 2019.

(ii) Promoting regional implementation of SWIM

The CAD is committed to cooperate fully with regional ANSPs to promote the trial exchange of ATFM information with a view to enhancing the efficiency of ATC operation by SWIM. At the 7th ICAO CRV Operations Group Meeting held in Bangkok in January 2020, the CAD presented a joint paper with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to promote the use of CRV as the network carrier of SWIM, which was supported by ICAO and other participants.

Smart Energy and Green Measures in CAD Headquarters

The CAD in conjunction with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department have successfully implemented various smart energy initiatives and green measures, leading to a number of awards by different organisations in 2019 in recognition of their effective performance.

Commissioning of New Backup ATC Centre

The refurbishment and equipment installation of the new Backup ATC Centre located at the airfield was completed. After comprehensive testing and safety assessment, the centre was commissioned in September 2019. The new centre further improved ATC services and helped maintain the high safety standard of ATC services.

Information Technology Management

The Information Technology Management Unit (ITMU) continued to support the day-to-day operations of various CAD divisions through effective implementation of new Information Technology (IT) initiatives and the e-Government strategy. During the year, the following major IT projects were completed/being developed for the betterment of IT service and support in the Department:

(i) The project for the replacement of CAD Aviation Statistics System was commenced in June 2019. The new system will strengthen the data processing capability and reliability, which in turn allows the CAD to analyse problems using data and statistics in a more effective and flexible manner.

(ii) The development of electronic rostering system (e-Rostering) was completed in February 2020 for enhancing the efficiency in managing the roster of air traffic controllers.

Furthermore, to arouse staff awareness of big data analytics, the CAD gradually set up a data warehouse and comprehensive data system for data analysis and supporting divisions to probe into problems and figure out solutions using big data analytics.