Thales and MAC sign contracts to develop and enhance safety and security of Sri Lankan airspace

In separate contracts signed in March and August this year, the supply, installation and commissioning of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems, and Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems will be done by Thales and MAC Holdings Ltd., the facilitating local partner and key industrial partner for Thales in Sri Lanka.

The first official contract for the AIM system was signed on 23 March in the presence of AASL Chairman, Vice Chairman, Technical Director, officials from the French Embassy in Colombo, Senior Account Manager, Asia-Pacific Mayuran Sundaramoorthy representing Thales and officials from MAC Holdings Ltd. 

The scope of work for the proposed AIM system shall include supply, installation and commissioning and ensuring the completion of the AIS-AIM transition steps included under Phase 1 and Phase 2 of ICAO AIS-AIM transition roadmap. This will replace the existing systems used for Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) operation of Sri Lanka and facilitate all AIS operations. 

The AIM system shall fulfll AIS system requirements of Bandaranaike International Airport-– Katunayake (BIA), Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and Colombo Airport – Ratmalana (RMA), while providing the adherence to latest ICAO requirements. Performance and technical characteristics of the AIM system shall satisfy ICAO recommendations and other similar standards&and regulations published by regulatory bodies such as Eurocontrol. 

A second contract was signed on 1h August in the presence of the same officials from AASL but also including Company Secretary and Head of Electronics an& Air Navigation Engineering. Similar to the previous contract, Thales, together with MAC Holdings Ltd., will supply, install and commission the Air Traffic Management (ATM) System at Bandaranaike International Airport[(BI]) at Katunayake.

Thale’’s state-of-the-art TopSky-ATC system will enhance the safety and efficiency of Air Traffic Management services at BIA.  

Over 140 TopSky systems worldwide and around 70% of Asia pacific airspace is managed by Thale’’s TopSky ATM system. In Sri Lanka Thales have successfully implemented Air Traffic Management systems and Radars since late 70s, including several State-to-State projects with French government financing support. Currently two Thales radars are operating at BIA and Pidurutalagala.