Johan Debattista
When you are hurriedly packing your final items before your next flight or thinking about what you might have forgotten, it is highly possible that the flight plan is already in the Air Traffic Management system.
As passengers, we encounter ground personnel at check in, security and at the boarding gate, then the cabin crew and, perhaps before taxiing to the runway for take-off, we will be briefed by the cockpit crew over the public address system. On occasion, the announcement includes a delay that more often than not will say "due to Air Traffic Control (ATC) slot". The following is a more accurate picture of what is going on.
In Malta, ATC or to be more technically precise, Air Navigation Services Provision (ANSP), falls within the remit of Malta Air Traffic Services Ltd (MATS), an autonomous, Government-owned company that is responsible for Airspace Management in the Malta Flight Information Region, the Approach Radar for Malta and all aircraft surface movements on the ground at the Malta International Airport.
MATS' administrative and operational centres are located at Luqa, which since 1979 have served every aircraft flying in our airspace and every passenger coming to / leaving our islands.
Every day, MATS assists airlines to fly their fleets safely and efficiently, always with the end user - the passenger - in mind. We do understand the challenges airlines face in today's competitive world. In this context, we are proud to say that, within the European region, we charge the second lowest unit rate for aircraft flying through our airspace. It is MATS' responsibility to keep travel safe and affordable for all.
Several years ago, MATS agreed with ENAV, its Italian counterpart, to co-ordinate and control traffic in a portion of Italian airspace to the south-west of Sicily to enable a better control and descent procedure for all aircraft approaching Malta from the north-west. This procedure is above all aimed at ensuring passengers' comfort.
As a member of Eurocontrol since 1989, and more so after Malta became a member of the European Union in 2004, MATS participates in programmes and projects to improve its services. Together with the aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Directorate within Transport Malta (TM-CAD), the company supports initiatives, such as the very important Single European Sky.
MATS technical staff are in constant co-ordination with the operational staff and neighbouring countries to ensure an interoperable, seamless service with neighbouring ANSPs. As a partner of the BlueMed Functional Airspace Block, together with Cyprus, Greece and Italy, the company participates in pan-European programmes with other stakeholders and intends to continue doing so where its capabilities permit. One of the successful programmes is the Route Network Catalogue that sustains the Flight Efficiency Plan, with some tangible results in 2015.
Improvements within BlueMed Airspace during 2015 in en route airspace design:
Savings
NM: 2,427,528
Fuel: 14,736,000 kg
CO2: 27,900 T
In full co-ordination with Malta International Airport plc, the airport managing body, and TM-CAD, MATS promotes the growth of the Maltese economy. As a small island state, yet a great nation, Malta will continue to link the West to the East and Europe to Africa. The unrest that has unfortunately characterised some of the north African countries in recent years is of direct concern to us. It also causes loss of revenue to the company.
Despite all the difficulties and constraints, MATS has embarked on a capital investment programme that also includes a thorough upgrade of its Air Traffic Management system and the building of two new radar stations. Other projects are on plan.
MATS contributes not only to the economy but also to the environment through processes and practices that reduce Green House Gas emissions. One tangible aspect is the project, awarded by MCST and led by the University of Malta - Clean Flight II. MATS is an organisation that every minute of every hour backs global economic growth, employment, trade links, tourism and support for sustainable development through air transport.
Now you can better understand next time you will be travelling by air that MATS personnel are working towards a safe, efficient, seamless and sustainable industry, while you are travelling in comfort through the Tropopause.
Mr Debattista is the Projects Co-ordinator at Malta Air Traffic Services Ltd