AirShare, the provider of airspace intelligence & management for uncrewed traffic, is the latest industry partner to join New Zealand’s Airspace Integration Trials Programme (AITP).
The AITP is a collaboration between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Airways New Zealand, dedicated to supporting the safe testing, development and market validation of advanced uncrewed aircraft in New Zealand.
As part of the programme, AirShare, owned by Airways International Ltd, will work with MBIE and other AITP partners to trial its Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) system for managing uncrewed aircraft (UA) airspace access. Trials will involve using the AirShare UTM to provide airspace management services; sharing of AirShare data with other systems in support of autonomous drone operations; and integrating with UA operators’ systems to demonstrate capabilities such as electronic flight plan submission and authorisation.
Airways International CEO Sharon Cooke says AirShare’s participation in the AITP supports its goal to be part of an ecosystem of connected systems to enable a safer and more efficient airspace for all participants.
“We’re looking forward to working with New Zealand industry partners to accelerate the integration of advanced uncrewed aircraft into our airspace, by demonstrating the capabilities of our UTM system and sharing data to support UA operations,” Ms Cooke says. “New Zealand is a great place to develop and trial airspace initiatives, which creates an exciting environment for AITP partners like AirShare to trial and advance our capabilities.”
“The AITP partners are delighted to welcome Airshare to the Airspace Integration Trials Programme,” says MBIE Director of Innovative Partnerships Joe McKay.
“As the volume and applications of uncrewed aircraft increases, tools to manage this traffic alongside traditional air traffic are essential. It’s great to have Airshare on board and working alongside existing partners as we aim to accelerate the integration of advanced uncrewed aircraft with New Zealand’s aviation system.”
AirShare and other AITP partners will also collaborate to establish research and development facilities which will provide sustainable economic uncrewed traffic information opportunities through effective lower airspace management and safe integration of drones.
For further information please contact:
Angela Paterson
Marketing & Communications Manager
Airways International Ltd
Ph: +64 3 358 1505
Mobile: +64 27 703 1607
Email: angela.paterson@airways.co.nz
About Airways
Airways New Zealand is a world-leading commercial Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), looking after key aviation infrastructure around New Zealand and managing more than 1 million traffic movements per year into and around New Zealand’s 30 million square kilometres of airspace.
Airways International Ltd (AIL) is the commercial arm of Airways New Zealand, providing training, digital products, aeronautical information management, procedure design and aviation consultancy services to customers in the Middle East, Asia, Hong Kong, the Pacific, Africa, Europe and North America.
AIL offers globally recognised air traffic control training programmes, advanced simulation and selection solutions, and interactive digital learning resources to help its customers achieve lower training costs and higher success rates.
For more information about Airways visit www.airways.co.nz
About AirShare
AirShare is New Zealand’s UA traffic management (UTM) system, launched in 2014 as an online hub for New Zealand drone users with the aim to “share the air” by developing a safe, transparent and efficient UA traffic management system.
AirShare provides real-time display and management of UAV activity, integration with UAV detection systems in and around aerodrome control zones, and a one-stop shop for drone pilots to plan flights, gain approvals, and operate safely.
For more information, visit https://www.airways.co.nz/products-and-services/uas-traffic-management/
