EADS, Airbus and Thales join forces in the Air Traffic Alliance

Accelerates deployment of new technologies for enhanced air transport capacity, safety and security

EADS, Airbus and Thales announced today the creation of an open industry Alliance to provide a global solution to radically increase air traffic capacity while enhancing safety and security. The Air Traffic Alliance team will work to improve the air transport system over the coming decades and is linked to major initiatives by the European Union, Eurocontrol and European Civil Aviation Authorities.

Air Traffic Control Centres around the world currently deal with up to 100,000 flights a day with a growing need for additional capacity. Europe's major challenge is to develop an efficient air transport system which will handle 3 times more flights in the next 20 years safely and securely whilst reducing delays to less than 15 minutes for 99% of the flights, as outlined in the EC-sponsored report 'European Aeronautics: a Vision for 2020.' With its closely-spaced population centres, the core of Europe has the world's most challenging en-route airspace, where improved air traffic solutions are routinely pioneered, and later also used elsewhere.

In an unprecedented move, the alliance partners propose a plan for simultaneous integration and deployment of aircraft capabilities with highly automated ground air traffic control systems fully exploiting the potential of new technologies enabling co-operation between aircraft and control centres.

The open Air Traffic Alliance partners bring together for the first time the long-standing expertise and proven track records of world-class companies in the field of air transport and in managing complex programmes. Airbus will contribute its airliner expertise, EADS its expertise in satellites and other aerospace technologies, and Thales its widespread experience in air traffic management systems and onboard electronics. Each participant will thus bring the skills of its core business to the Alliance through the formation of a joint team. In addition, the Alliance intends to invite shortly other major European partners to join, and then to open a dialogue with North American players.
With a clear objective to co-operate with airspace users, Air Traffic Services providers and all stakeholders, the open Air Traffic Alliance will address all activities from operational concept to large-scale validation in different phases, the first starting as early as 2003.
The plan focuses on key areas such as

The goal is to improve the capacity, safety and security of air transport in a progressive and seamless way, while enhancing compatibility with aircraft and ATC systems worldwide, and efficiency through optimised and environmentally friendly routings.

Thales is a major European industrial group and is a worldwide leader in three electronic areas : Aerospace, Defence and Information Technology & Services. In 2001, THALES had a turnover of EUR 10.3 billion, of which 75 % was from international activity. The Thales group employs approximately 65 000 people worldwide in 50 countries.

Thales ATM, a world leader in Air Traffic Management, provides a full range of CNS/ATM (Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management) solutions. Together with Thales Avionics and Thales Training & Simulation, it belongs to the Thales Aerospace business.

EADS is the largest European aerospace company and the No 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services. Among others, EADS holds 80 percent of Airbus, 75 percent of the space company Astrium and 100 percent of the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter.

Airbus designs, builds and supports the worlds largest and most modern airliner family. It consistently wins about a half of the new airliner orders placed by airlines around the world, some 200 of which are customers and operators of its aircraft. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.

Press contacts:

Thales Aeropace Business Area:
Brigitte Porée
Communications Director
Tel: +33 1 46 29 72 81
Fax: +33 1 46 29 71 50

Thales ATM:
Karen Thomas
Communication Director
Tel: +33 1 40 84 39 68
Fax: +33 1 40 84 28 12

EADS:
Dr. Rainer Ohler
International and German Media Relations
Communications Marketing/Strategy
Tel: +49 (0)89 607-34235
Fax: +49 (0)89 607-34239

Airbus:
David Velupillai
Regional Press Manager
Tel: +33 5 61 93 31 99
Fax: +33 5 61 93 49 55

Thales is a major European industrial group and is a worldwide leader in three electronic areas : Aerospace, Defence and Information Technology & Services. In 2001, THALES had a turnover of EUR 10.3 billion, of which 75 % was from international activity. The Thales group employs approximately 65 000 people worldwide in 50 countries.

Thales ATM, a world leader in Air Traffic Management, provides a full range of CNS/ATM (Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management) solutions. Together with Thales Avionics and Thales Training & Simulation, it belongs to the Thales Aerospace business.

EADS is the largest European aerospace company and the No 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services. Among others, EADS holds 80 percent of Airbus, 75 percent of the space company Astrium and 100 percent of the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter.

Airbus designs, builds and supports the worlds largest and most modern airliner family. It consistently wins about a half of the new airliner orders placed by airlines around the world, some 200 of which are customers and operators of its aircraft. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.

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