Denmark, Ireland and Sweden sign co-operative agreement with Thales ATM

Citation

(2006), "Denmark, Ireland and Sweden sign co-operative agreement with Thales ATM", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778dab.026

Denmark, Ireland and Sweden sign co-operative agreement with Thales ATM

Denmark, Ireland and Sweden sign co-operative agreement with Thales ATM

Keywords: Aircraft industry, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), the LFV Group (Sweden) and Naviair (Denmark) recently signed a contract with Thales ATM, the French air traffic equipment provider, to mark the initiation of a purchasing agreement known as COOPANS. Each of these air navigation service providers (ANSPs) has previously procured, under separate contracts, the Thales Eurocat ATM System and the objective of this agreement is to facilitate the joint procurement of upgrades to their existing common air traffic management (ATM) systems.

Joint procurement under the COOPANS agreement will facilitate upgrades to each ATM system to meet new operational needs, ensure supportability and reduce life cycle costs. The risks associated with the introduction of completely new ATM systems are also reduced through this new incremental approach.

The COOPANS agreement will cater for any essential requirements necessitated by the Single European Sky initiative. It also demonstrates the intent of IAA, Naviair and the LFV Group to collaborate in a way which will bring real benefits to airlines whilst embracing the spirit of the Single European Sky move towards common systems. In addition, the agreement is based on an open door concept whereby other ANSPs will be able to join at a later date.

Speaking on behalf of the COOPANS members, Mr Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive of the IAA said; “This agreement represents the best way of achieving commonality and interoperability of systems, risk reduction and economies of scale in the future ATM market, all of which will bring real benefits to our customers.”

Alexander de Juniac, Senior Vice President Air Systems Division, Thales ATM, stated; “Thales is proud to be part of this agreement which paves the way for the future organisation of ATM systems.”