Kuwait Airways and Collins Aerospace took an important step to help relieve VHF traffic congestion in the busiest areas. Using Collins’ Ground Flight Operations and Maintenance Exchanger (Ground FOMAX ), two of Kuwait Airways’ A330NEOs are now able to broadcast and receive non-critical, non-ATC messages over the Internet.
This reduces reliance on traditional VHF/VDL or Satcom means, reducing communications traffic and lowering costs for the airline.
Developed in collaboration with Airbus, Ground FOMAX provides a connection over a VPN-protected IP connection between the aircraft and the ground. Messages are then routed by ARINC’s Ground Message Processor (GMP) through ARINC’s global network in the same format as current ACARS messages. This helps airlines manage the costs associated with sending these messages and provides an ACARS connection at airports where there is no VHF coverage.
«As aircraft become more data-intensive, this additional information «conduit» is critical to the efficiency of airlines, airports and air traffic control,» said Clotilde Enel-Rehel, general manager, Commercial Aviation & Network Services, Collins Aerospace. «Kuwait Airways will serve as a great example of how nearly 80 percent of ACARS traffic can be routed through an IP system, as well as using both cellular connectivity on the ground and flight deck connectivity to offload ACARS over IP.»
Ground FOMAX’s AOIP solution is fully integrated on all-new Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft and requires no changes to the airline’s ground ACARS system. The solution can also be fully integrated with traditional non-IP ACARS media to ensure full interoperability. Collins Aerospace is currently working with 10 other airlines to deploy AOIP by 2022.
