It may not be the sexiest of subjects, but the news that the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has a brand new air traffic control system is

very significant indeed.
Only yesterday it reported that the country has now fully converted and integrated its new Thales supplied NESACC system. The transition has been five years coming and involved extensive planning and the system now boasts state-of-the-art integrated Eurocat air traffic management systems in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Deputy Director General, Air Traffic Management Bureau of China Mme Lu Xiaoping described the NESACC system as the biggest infrastructure construction project in the history of air traffic management systems for Civil Aviation in China.
This system now controls 60% of all air traffic in and around China?s borders, including the heavy traffic that is typically seen in the eastern part of the country.
The system is being hailed as the saviour of the country?s fast growing commercial passenger and freight operations at a time when passenger traffic continues to grow at strong rate.
It was also seen as much needed five years ago when there were a spate of fatal commercial air accidents in China. Aviation analysts have welcomed the news and the more canny amongst them have pointed out that this is exactly what India needs to do if this other booming aviation market is to maintain its fast growth in a safe fashion.
Ed?s comment: The introduction of this tried and tested air traffic control system and its ability to control 60% of all air traffic movements in a huge country like China is a fantastic achievement. It also cements one of the most fundamental pillars for the future growth of air travel both to and from the country.