ARINC lands European digital air traffic control deal

ARINC Inc. has won a contract from the European aviation authority to provide next-generation digital air traffic solutions, the company announced this week. The contract value was not disclosed.

Under the contract, ARINC of Annapolis, Md., will serve as the data link service provider for the Maastricht Upper Air Center operated by Eurocontrol, the continent's aviation authority. (Click for link to the company's news release)

ARINC will deploy a network of 12 VHF digital link mode 2 ground stations to support controller-pilot data link communications in the skies over Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Northern Germany.

The system, which is part of a larger Eurocontrol initiative known as the Link 2000 program, is scheduled to be operational in October.

Eurocontrol's is the architect and manager of air traffic management services in Europe. The agency's goal is to manage the European skies as a single, seamless airspace within which traffic can cross national frontiers with the support of a synchronized, integrated system of air traffic management. Its objectives are to reduce delays and operating costs, manage traffic growth and improve environmental impact by reducing aircraft emissions and noise.

ARINC provided controller-pilot data link communications service to the Federal Aviation Administration for the Miami Air Traffic Control Center earlier this year, the company said. American Airlines also uses the service in Miami. Other airlines are expected to follow suit when the service is more fully deployed, the company said.

ARINC Inc. is a provider of transportation communications and systems engineering. The company has more than 3,000 employees.