Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
REPORT OF
THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE EAST ASIA AIR TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT COORDINATION GROUP (EATMCG/5)
1.
History of the Meeting
1.1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 The Fifth Meeting of the East Asia Air Traffic Management Coordination Group
(EATMCG/5) was held at the Hong Kong Aviation Club, Hong Kong, from 18 to 20
April 2012. The meeting was hosted by the Hong Kong Air Traffic Control
Association (HKATCA).
1.2
Attendance
1.2.1 The meeting was attended by 31 experts of the civil aviation authorities and air traffic
service providers from Hong Kong China, Japan, Philippines, Republic of Korea and
Taiwan together with the Representative of IFATCA. The list of participants is at
Appendix A to this report.
1.3
Opening of the Meeting
1.3.1 The Facilitator for the meeting was John Wagstaff, Asia/Pacific Representative,
IFATCA. He welcomed all delegates to the meeting on behalf of HKATCA and
IFATCA. Mr Raymond Li, Chief (Operations and Personnel), CAD Hong Kong,
thanked HKATCA for hosting the meeting and expressed his gratitude to all delegates
for attending the meeting. He commented on the continuing increase in traffic within
the Asia Pacific region and the challenges every ANSP faces in handling the
continuing demands of the operators for improved efficiency. He stated his confidence
in the meeting being productive and successful.
1.4
Documentation
1.4.1 All documentation and discussions were in English. A total of 11 Working Papers and
8 Information Papers were submitted for discussion. The list of Working Papers and
Information Papers is at Appendix B to this report.
1
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
1.5
Adoption of Provisional Agenda
1.5.1
The meeting accepted the Provisional Agenda. The Facilitator noted that the order of
business would not be in sequential Agenda items.
2.
Report of the Meeting
2.1
Review of EATMCG/4
2.1.1 IFATCA gave a brief review of the Fourth Meeting of the East Asia ATM Coordination
Group (EATMCG/4) that was held in Hong Kong, between 1 and 3 December, 2010.
The EATMCG/4 Task List items were highlighted and it was noted that many of these
items were covered by Working Papers or Information Papers to be presented at the
meeting.
2.2
Report on Recent ICAO Meetings and Outcomes
2.2.1 IFATCA gave a brief report on recent ICAO meetings, including:
i) APANPIRG/22 Meeting produced several Conclusions and Decisions that
directly concern airspace planning and flight procedures in the Region.
ii) The Asia/Pacific Seamless ATM Planning Group Meeting/1 made initial steps
to produce a regional plan to ensure common procedures and similar ATM
procedures are developed by ANSPs to provide a ‘seamless’ service to aircraft
throughout the area.
iii) Regional Airspace Monitoring Advisory Group Meeting/16 reviewed the Target
Level of Safety data for the FIRs throughout the region.
iv) Aeronautical Information Management Implementation Task Force Meeting/7
noted the significant problem of dual use of 5 letter name codes in many adjacent
FIRs in the region. It also provided an update on the progress of States in planning
for the implementation of the new Flight Plan in November 2012.
v) Civil/Military Coordination Seminar discussed the need to establish improved
coordination and cooperation between civil and military authorities for more
efficient use of all available airspace.
vi) Performance Based Navigation Task Force Meeting/9 noted that many States
have not complied with the ICAO requirement to develop a PBN Plan. It also
noted that many of the procedures that will be needed for the Seamless ATM Plan
2
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
will be PBN-based.
2.3
Review of Daily Capacity Notification Scheme and Associated ATFM Matters
2.3.1
Japan presented three Working Papers and one Information Paper relating to the
Daily Notification Scheme, the collection of data for traffic analysis and details of
the operational trial of the SCAS programme for regulating traffic inbound to Tokyo
Haneda Airport. Hong Kong made a presentation on the recent upgrades to their
ATFM procedures and facilities.
2.3.2
Japan proposed a number of measures to improve the efficiency of the Notification
Scheme by dividing the 8 hour time period into smaller periods; to make the
afternoon notification time earlier; to review the accuracy of the information, to
increase the number of airports in the Notification Scheme, provide information to
airlines and to include the time period of any expected delays. Hong Kong noted the
proposals and advised that they already share the Notification Scheme information
with the major operators in Hong Kong.
2.3.3
Japan also stated their desire to establish timely coordination with adjacent units for
both planned and unscheduled restrictions to airport operations, e.g. facility
maintenance or adverse weather conditions. They proposed ATFM planning officers
at each unit should share the information and coordinate actions.
2.3.4
Hong Kong provided information on the extended coverage of the weather forecasts
for the Hong Kong Terminal Area, including holding areas and final approach areas.
An effective process for calculating the Notification Scheme Level has been
developed and it is hoped that this will provide a measure of uniformity to the
information. They also hoped that this will alleviate the issue of repetitive short
notice restrictions as a tactical measure and instead provide a more strategic plan for
implementing restrictions only when significant delays are predicted.
2.3.5
Japan reported that only two reports of the traffic data have been received and urged
the other participants to provide the data for the past three years to enable a
comprehensive analysis of the information to be conducted.
2.3.6
Japan gave a presentation of the operational trial of SCAS (Specifying Calculated
fix departure time for Arrival Spacing). This procedure is being evaluated for both
domestic and international arrivals to Haneda Airport. The process is activated by
the Fukuoka ATMC when there are unexpected delays to aircraft in the en-route
phase inbound to Haneda and avoids excessive vectoring or holding in the approach
area.
2.4
Seamless ATM
3
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
2.4.1
IFATCA gave a presentation on the recent ICAO Seamless ATM Plan Meeting and
Japan provided a Working Paper on their initiatives in this plan.
2.4.2
The IFATCA presentation compared the current and future airspace plans of Europe,
North American and the Asia-Pacific region. There is a need for an ‘Asian’ solution
for this area as there was no single entity to actively oversee the development and
implementation of new facilities and procedures in the area. The need for
harmonisation and cooperation within the region will be necessary as well as the
need to critically review some of the long established procedures and practices. In
this matter, IFATCA suggests to replace the modified Flight Level Orientation
System (FLOS) in the South China Sea with the standard Single Alternate FLOS.
2.4.3
Japan provided details on the current facilities and procedures in place with adjacent
FIRs for the major traffic routes within their airspace and their plans for supporting
a Seamless ATM system.
2.5
Review of Longitudinal Spacing
2.5.1
Japan and Hong Kong each presented a Working Paper. Japan reported that a trial of
20 NM longitudinal spacing on G581 between Naha ACC and Taipei ACC was
extended to include R583 and R595 on 25 August 2011. Taipei advised that the
current MoU will be replaced by a LoA once the details are finalised.
2.5.2
Hong Kong reported that 20 NM longitudinal spacing on A1, M750 and G581
between Hong Kong FIR and Taipei FIR had been implemented in 2011. They
noted that because of the requirement to conduct a verbal handoff when using the
procedure, many controllers were reluctant to utilise the procedure because of the
additional coordination workload. They therefore proposed to implement the ICAO
approved transfer procedure which does not require any controller-controller
coordination. Taipei advised that whilst they are willing to accept this proposal, to
provide a standard operating practice, a similar transfer procedure should also be
adopted between Taipei ACC and Japan. Japan advised that their current procedures
did not permit this procedure to be implemented. However they would review the
ICAO criteria related to the practice and follow up on this matter with Taipei.
2.6
Review of Airspace Matters
2.6.1
Japan presented three Working Papers detailing airspace matters. Because of the
non-standard Flight Level Allocation Scheme (FLAS) used on B462 between Manila
FIR and Naha FIR, FL360 is only available for flights from Manila FIR to Naha FIR.
However some flights from Naha FIR and entering Manila FIR request FL360, and
there have been some cases when a Naha controller has incorrectly assigned FL360
4
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
to traffic that will enter Manila FIR. To avoid any further repetition of such events,
Japan requested the Philippines to consider revising the FLAS on B462 to comply
with the standard ICAO Single Alternate FLAS, or not allocate FL360 on B462. The
Philippines advised that they will consider the proposal not to use FL360.
2.6.2
Japan noted that the restriction on the availability of FL400 on G581 imposed by
Hong Kong has been a long standing issue, and they are pleased to note the times of
the restriction have recently been reduced to only 2 hours daily. However they still
request this restriction to be cancelled as soon as possible, noting that at EATMCG/4
in December 2010, Hong Kong stated that the restriction would be removed once
airspace reorganisation had been completed and new equipment was in place. Hong
Kong advised that although the airspace restructuring had been completed, the safety
case for the cancellation of the restriction required the medium term conflict alert
system to be fully operational. Unfortunately the system has encountered some
software problems and the implementation date cannot be currently determined.
However Hong Kong assured Japan and Taiwan that as soon as the system was in
place, will cancel the restriction.
2.6.3
Japan reported on the realignment of ATS Route J5 since 25 August 2011 to permit a
more direct route for Hong Kong bound trans-Pacific flights. The realignment was
undertaken specifically at the request of the airline operators and required the
cooperation of the Japanese military authorities.
2.7
Review of B576 Traffic Issues
2.7.1
Japan had a Working Paper, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan each gave a
presentation and Hong Kong presented an Information Paper on this matter. Japan
reported that following the successful completion of a trial period of 30 NM
longitudinal spacing on B576 between Taipei FIR, Fukuoka FIR and Incheon FIR,
an LoA was signed and since 25 May 2011 the radar procedure has been
implemented operationally. Japan noted the increase in traffic on B576 at certain
times of the night and despite the new radar procedures, there was still significant
congestion on the route at peak traffic periods.
2.7.2
The Republic of Korea gave a presentation highlighting the traffic density on B576
and the controller workload involved in handling the flights during the peak time of
1900-2200 UTC. They are considering a number of measures to alleviate the
congestion and reduce the controller workload, including a one-way route system,
alternative routes and rerouting some domestic flights and overflying traffic.
2.7.3
Hong Kong reported that during the peak traffic period in the early hours of the
morning, ENVAR/M750 was congested with Incheon-bound flights and the
controller workload was high. If there was a continuing growth in the traffic
5
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
numbers it may be necessary to require some flights to route via KAPLI/G581.
Taiwan noted that the alternative route via G581 could be linked with an RNAV
route through the Taipei FIR and Fukuoka FIR up to the Incheon FIR boundary,
which would also provide an alternative route for the Incheon flights from Manila.
All parties agreed to consider the various suggestions.
2.8
RNAV Re-designation of Routes
2.8.1
The Philippines and Hong Kong each presented an Information Paper on the redesignation of routes in compliance with the ICAO plan for the implementation of
PBN procedures throughout the region. The Philippines reported that following the
ICAO initiative to re-designate routes where RNAV procedures were already in
place, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines agreed to re-designate B348 to
RNAV Route M646 with effect from 3 May 2012. The route will require a minimum
navigation performance of RNP10. The Philippines requested Taiwan to consider redesignating the short portion of B348 from POTIB to HNG VOR in a similar manner.
2.9.1
Hong Kong reported that M750 was declared an RNAV5 Route on 9 February 2012.
2.10
Civil/Military Traffic Occurrences
2.10.1
Taiwan gave a presentation on unknown traffic conflicting with controlled civil
aircraft within their FIR. They reported that they experience numerous occurrences
of unknown traffic, believed to be military aircraft, operating within their airspace
but without any radio communication, flight plan or prior notification. In recent
months there have been four TCAS RA incidents between commercial flights and
unknown aircraft. They asked for the assistance of adjacent FIRs in providing any
information or notification of any unknown flights that may enter their airspace.
2.10.2
IFATCA advised that ICAO procedures and requirements are not applicable to
military aircraft and military flights operate in accordance with ‘due regard’ in
international airspace, even though the airspace is recognised by all civil operators
as a State FIR. Hong Kong informed Taiwan that their standard procedure is to pass
traffic information on any unknown flight to civil aircraft, but not to apply any
separation standard. IFATCA recommended that this flight safety matter should be
brought to the attention of IATA for their follow up action.
2.11
Review of AIDC Matters
2.11.1
Japan and Hong Kong each presented an Information Paper on recent developments
with their AIDC systems. Japan reported that Fukuoka and Naha ACCs and Taipei
ACC commenced AIDC trials on 22 March 2012. No problems have been reported
with the system to date and both sides have noted the reduction in controller
6
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
workload due to the reduction of coordination telephone calls. Hong Kong reported
that during the initial test phase between Hong Kong ACC and Taipei ACC a
number of technical problems were encountered. These were subsequently
identified as software problems and once a software patch has been developed it is
hoped to commence trials by mid-2012.
2.12
Update of EATMCG/4 Task List
2.12.1
Taiwan provided an Information Paper on the updates to those items concerning
Taiwan. The list was amended and together with the new items from EATMCG/5, a
new Task List is at Appendix C.
2.13
Philippines CNS/ATM Development Plan
2.13.1
The Philippines gave a presentation on their ATM modernisation project which
includes a new ACC building, new radar installations and radar processing system,
two ADS-B receiver sites, a CPDLC system and improved VHF communication
facilities. The CNS/ATM plan should be completed within 30 months of contract
award. However the plan is currently on hold pending a comprehensive
Government review of all major projects. It is hoped that approval to proceed will
be given by late 2012. They reported that the trial of the CPDLC system in their
East Sector area has been concluded, and once approval for the CNS/ATM plan is
received, trials in other areas will commence.
2.14
Provisional Arrangements for EATMCG/6
2.14.1
JFATCA kindly offered to host EATMCG/6. They will provide information on the
date and location of the meeting when they have finalised the meeting details.
3.
Closing of the Meeting
3.1
The Facilitator thanked everyone for their positive attitude throughout the meeting
and the many constructive comments and suggestions that the discussions had
generated. He noted that once again the EATMCG forum had provided a good
opportunity for a better understanding of each others’ problems
and promoted a healthy exchange of views. He noted that whilst not all issues may
have been resolved during the meeting, the willingness of all participants to
cooperate will doubtless result in successful outcomes in the future. He urged all
participants to continue the close coordination outside of the meeting and
communicate regularly amongst each other in the coming months.
7
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
Appendix A
EATMCG / 5
List of Attendees
8
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
Appendix B
EATMCG/4
List of Working Papers and Information Papers
WP 1
WP 2.1
WP 3.1
WP 4.1
WP 4.2
WP 5.1
WP 5.2
WP 5.3
WP 5.4
WP 5.5
WP 5.6
WP 5.7
WP 6.1
WP 6.2
WP 8.1
IP 3.1
IP 3.2
IP 5.2
IP 7.1
IP 7.2
IP 8.1
IP 8.2
IP 8.3
IP 9.1
Provisional Agenda
Review of EATMCG/4
Review of Recent ICAO Meetings and Outcomes
Trial for the Operational Procedures to Share the Notification,
Hong Kong ATCC/Taipei ACC/ATMC
Sharing the Notification in the Early Stage Among Planning
Officers
JCAB’s Current Initiatives Towards Seamless ATM
Review traffic Level and Relocation of ATS Route J5
Flight Level Allocation Scheme Concerning ATS Route B462
Review of Application for Radar Separation on ATS Route B576
Review of trial on 20 NM Intervals on G581/R583/R595
Flight Level Restriction on G581
The Proposal to Make Rules for Submitting Common Report
Form for Air traffic Flow Management in East Asia
Incursions of Unknown Traffic and their Conflicts with Civilian
Aircraft in TPE FIR
Update of EATMCG/4 Task List for EATMCG/5 Concerning TPE
FIR
Review Use of 20 NM Longitudinal Spacing
IFATCA
IFATCA
IFATCA
ATMC, Japan
Review of ICAO Aviation System Block Upgrades
The Controller and Seamless Sky
Implementation of AIDC between Taipei ACC and Fukuoka/Naha
ACC
Re-designation of ATS Route B348 to RNAV Route M646
IFATCA
IFATCA
JCAB
RNAV Designation of PBN Route M750
AIDC Development
Operational Status on B576 Airway in Korea
9
ATMC, Japan
JCAB
JCAB
JCAB
JCAB
JCAB
JCAB
JCAB
Taiwan
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Philippines
Philippines
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Republic of
Korea
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
Appendix C
EATMCG/5
TASK LIST FOR EATMCG/6
No.
3-2
3-3
Description
Responsibility
Coordination with Shanghai ACC in Taiwan
terms of the level allocation of B591
by Taipei ACC
Review for implementing ATS Route Hong Kong
M750 as RNAV 5
Taiwan
3-4
Review of the trial of Operational Hong Kong
Procedures to Share the Notification Japan
Taiwan
3-5
Collect the data based on the new Japan
Common Report Form for Air Traffic Hong Kong
Flow Management in East Asia
Philippines
Taiwan
Review use of 20 NM longitudinal Hong Kong
spacing on A1/M750
Japan
Taiwan
4-1
4-2
Review flight level restrictions on Hong Kong
G581
Taiwan
4-3
Review
B576
4-4
5-1
5-2
longitudinal
spacing
on Taiwan
Japan
Korea
Review traffic level and relocation of Japan
ATS Route J5
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Philippines to consider withdrawing Philippines
use of FL360 on B462 for traffic to Japan
Naha FIR
Request operators on plans for future IFATCA
use of ATS Route J5
10
Remarks
Revised FLAS agreed
with Shanghai
CLOSED
RNAV 5 implemented
9 February 2012
CLOSED
Trial continuing
Hong Kong to review
Japan’s proposals
ONGOING
Only 2 States have
submitted data.
ONGOING
LoA Taipei-Fukuoka 25
May 2011
LoA Taipei-Hong Kong
15 June 2011
CLOSED
When Hong Kong
conflict alert system is
implemented restriction
will be cancelled
ONGOING
LoA Taipei-Fukuoka 25
May 2011
MoU Taipei-Hong Kong
1 July 2011
CLOSED
Rerouting implemented
25 August 2011
CLOSED
Internal coordination
Report at EATMCG/6
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
Consider suggestions to reduce Hong Kong
congestion on B576 at peak times
Taiwan
Manila
Korea
Japan
Review trial of 20 NM spacing on Japan
G581/R583/R595 and proceed to Taiwan
operational status
Internal coordination
and report at
EATMCG/6
Pass information on unknown IFATCA
military flights to IATA for their
action
Report at EATMCG/6
5-5
Japan to review ICAO radar transfer Japan
procedures
and
coordination Taiwan
requirements
Hong Kong
Internal coordination
5-6
5-3
5-4
11
Taiwan to finalise LoA
Report of EATMCG/5
18-20 April 2012
Appendix D
EATMCG/4
TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. The objectives of EATMCG are to develop and implement tactical/strategic, benefit
driven plans in a harmonious manner to improve en-route airspace capacity in addition
to enhancing safety and efficiency in the region.
2. The members of EATMCG shall consist of ATM experts from Hong Kong, Japan,
Philippines and Taiwan.
3. To meet the objectives above, the EATMCG shall;
1) Review the current operation/procedures among all facilities concerned.
2) Review the existing route structures in the airspace of concerned FIRs, taking into
consideration major traffic flows in the region.
3) Develop a new route structure and altitude allocations if necessary.
4) Review and determine the longitudinal separation at FIR boundaries, taking into
consideration the demand of routes.
5) Develop and implement cooperative Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) operations
and procedures among facilities concerned.
6) Consider and discuss the implementation of ATS Inter-facility Data Link
Communication (AIDC) with neighboring FIRs.
7) Develop and implement the necessary strategic plans based on ICAO regional and
global plans, taking into consideration the need for inter-regional harmonization,
service provider and airspace user requirements.
8) Explore possibilities for further enhancements to operational efficiency of ATC
operations/procedures and route structures.
4. The EATMCG meeting will be held once or twice a year.
5. The Meeting may invite industry partners and accredited organizations to attend when
considered appropriate, in the capacity of Observers.
12