CAAC held a symposium in Beijing on October 20 with the theme of further improving the operation efficiency of air traffic management based on proper mastering of operational standards. It aimed to implement the important instructions on flight regularity given by CAAC Administrator Feng Zhenglin, analyze in an in-depth manner the problems and weak links in ATM operation and management, and develop relevant corrective measures. CAAC Deputy Administrator Wang Zhiqing was present at the symposium.

Wang Zhiqing underscored that it was a historical mission of the ATM sector to establish a safe and efficient air traffic management system. To have such a system represents not only a basic characteristic of a country with a strong civil aviation industry, but also an essential part of building the national airspace system, and a fundamental requirement for bringing into full play of civil aviation’s strategic role and making contributions to national economic and social development. All ATM staff shall be devoted to their duties, bold to make innovations and earnest in their work. Currently, the relationship between safety and efficiency is an outstanding contradiction confronting the ATM sector which must be solved. At present, ATM safety has remained stable with risks under control, while efficiency is a weak point for the industry. Therefore, ATM agencies shall focus on improving their operation efficiency, make overall plans and appropriately handle the relationship between safety and efficiency.

Wang Zhiqing indicated that in order to implement Administrator Feng Zhenglin’s requirements on flight regularity, CAAC has recently assigned tasks including controlling operation capacity, adjusting the structure of flights, and advancing the transfer of aircraft apron control at high-density airports. Wang hoped that ATM entities could spearhead in identifying the weak points in operation efficiency, properly mastering operational standards, and striving hard to improve operation efficiency without compromising support level of safety.

At the meeting, chiefs from CAAC’s Office of Air Traffic Regulation introduced relevant measures and plans. Chief from CAAC Regional Administrations, CAAC Air Traffic Management Bureau and regional bureaus, and CAAC’s Operation Monitoring Center reported their work, and exchanged their point of views on improving policies and measures and further improving ATM efficiency.

For the next step, ATM entities will develop relevant improvement measures in aspects of optimizing the procedures of approach radar control and tower control, standardize the issuance process of traffic control measure, lay down control efficiency indicators and strive to improve the efficiency of ATM operation.