EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW

Attila Simon,
Director of Business Development, HungaroControl

Why is it important for you to be present at Global Air Traffic Management 2019?
 
Our industry is going through transformative change. Emerging technologies are altering the way in which we approach issues in air traffic management. Also, more than ever we need to effectively work together to ensure solutions deliver interoperable and seamless services. 
 
GATM is a pre-eminent event that brings together industry thought leaders to share experiences and explore opportunities for improved ATM performance. This year our focus will be on how relationships along the ATM value chain are evolving, and how building a partnership eco-system within this context will be critical to address current challenges like the capacity crisis. We will also focus on the importance of human factors, and its role in deploying new concepts.
 
As experts in the European air space market, what opportunities do you see for the Middle East market? 
 
Actors in the ATM industry are increasingly required to collaborate to collectively address the issues facing the aviation community. HungaroControl is acutely aware of this need from our own experiences in harmonizing services with our partners in the European region. Despite the geographical and nuanced differences with the Middle East, this requirement is still relevant. It is clear that service providers in the Middle East make no compromise when it comes to delivering safety and efficiency. However, like other regions in the world, there is still significant space for closer collaboration in the Middle East. Realization of this will create opportunities for the joint development of innovative solutions and cross-border operations.
 
What learnings from European airspace can be applied to the Middle East market?
 
Service providers in the European Union operate within a framework of cooperation, which is built into a high level intergovernmental structure, where collaboration is inevitable between all stakeholders. This is not the case in other regions, like the Middle East, which limits improvement opportunities. Enhanced collaboration and harmonized regulation are crucial in this region to achieve a higher level of safety and efficiency. 
 
The key takeaway from the European market is that cooperative mechanisms are crucial in nurturing stronger ties between neighboring service providers. 
 
What technologies or trends do you predict will impact air navigation in the next five years? 
 
There are many advanced technologies that can be exploited, but to rapidly solve operational problems with these enablers, a people-first approach is required. A true transformation of service delivery will only be successful if we reach a symbiosis between humans and technology.
 
Over the next five years, our most critical assets will become even more valuable: our human capital. With the rapid development in technology and the ever-changing service environment, designing user-centric technology and having the right people with the right skills will be of utmost importance. 
 
How can focusing on human factors support the deployment of new technological concepts?
 
Successful ATM system deployment is dependent on connecting humans with technology. A human-machine interface that supports end-users in executing their tasks efficiently and effectively is key to this link. 
 
One of the main goals of focusing on human factors is to ensure good interactions between human capabilities and the working environment. Where a new concept or system function is to be introduced, its potential impact on users’ needs to be understood. This human-centered approach should be applied throughout the lifecycle of an entire project. This includes applying different validation techniques depending on the maturity of concepts. The results of such focus ensures that changes support human capabilities and minimize the potential of human error. Change management empowered with human factors can further support the deployment and acceptance of new concepts.
 
Air traffic is reaching a crucial point in terms of capacity. How is HungaroControl in particular preparing to meet the opportunities and challenges of the capacity crisis?
 
Long-term traffic forecasts from ICAO are projecting an annually compounded growth rate of 4.5% in global air traffic out to 2042. This surge in demand presents numerous challenges to service providers who manage a finite and ever diminishing capacity. Coupled with increasing pressure from users to deliver greater efficiency, predictability and cost-effectiveness, service providers must now adopt new approaches to solving age-old problems.
 
HungaroControl in particular is preparing to capitalize on the opportunities ahead by adopting advanced technologies, deploying innovative operational concepts, and strengthening ties within the industry. An example of this is the implementation of free route airspace in Hungary and its expansion across borders. This deployment has delivered material economic and environmental benefits to airspace users.

To find out more about the GATM (Global Air Traffic Control) 2019 event, visit our website.

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