Indra will deploy navigation aid systems in 20 Chinese airports

Indra has won In 2015 contracts to deploy over 60 navigation aid systems in 20 Chinese airports.

The systems are being implemented across the country in airports such as Shanghai Pudong, one of the three most important airports in China.

This new series of contracts adds to the agreements awarded to Indra over the last few years. To date, Indra has already deployed over 200 DVOR systems, which emit a signal for plans to determine their flight direction; 300 ILS systems for instrument landing; and over 200 DME systems, which measure the slant range distance to the driveway and complement the ILS systems.

The deployment of these solutions is proof of the leadership Indra has gained in recent years as a supplier of this technology. To achieve this, it has counted with support provided by the teams of Indra Navia in Norway and Indra Australia, pioneers in developing these solutions.

The company has completed and reinforced its product portfolio, which encompasses all flight stages including: automated air traffic management systems, communications, radar surveillance and now navigation aid. In the latter case, there are actually very high growth expectations for the next few years.

These contracts add to the agreements awarded to Indra in March whereby the company implemented five radars to strengthen airspace control in Shanghai, the south-central region of China and Yinchuan.

Geographically, after more than 25 years in China, these projects consolidate Indra's position in one of the most competitive markets in the world. The multinational relies on a highly qualified local team of over 80 engineers (mostly graduates of the universities of Beijing and Tianjing) specialized in air traffic management systems.

This team has carried out, together with the company's support in Spain, large-scale projects such as the deployment across China of a network of over 20 radars, currently covering the surveillance of over 60% of its airspace.

This contract, awarded in 2009, included the implementation of Mode S secondary radars, the most advanced technology offering the greatest precision for aircraft detection and identification. This improves management of heavy traffic routes and areas close to airports.

Chengdu and Xian, technology benchmarks

Indra has also implemented automated air traffic management systems in two of the most important control centers in China, Chengdu and Xian. This technology currently manages the upper airspace traffic of eight Chinese provinces, together adding up to 4.2 million km², or over 8 times the size of Spain. The Chengdu center alone has over 400 air traffic controllers, making it one of the world's largest centers.

Indra is currently working on expanding the Xian control center and preparing it to increase its capacity and take over more airspace.

All of these projects reveal the trust-based relationship between Indra and the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB). This body, divided into seven entities, is responsible for the different sectors into which China's air traffic management is divided, dependent on the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Indra has been collaborating with the ATMB since 2007 when it was awarded one of its first ATM contracts in this country for implementing the air traffic management systems of the Urmqui Control Center. The control center was also equipped with Indra's surveillance radars and later with an air traffic management simulator.

Indra

Indra, overseen by Chairman & CEO Fernando Abril-Martorell, is one of the leading consulting and technology multinationals in Latin America and Europe. The company is the global technology partner for operations in its clients' key businesses. It offers business solutions, IT services and integrated systems for clients around the world. Indra has a standout business model based on proprietary solutions (representing nearly 65% of its total 2014 revenues) that serve leading clients in key industries and regions. In 2014 it reported revenues of 2.938 billion euros, employed 39,000 professionals, had a local presence in 46 countries, and delivered projects in more than 140 countries. The company develops a range of technological solutions and services for operations in various industries, including Energy & Industry, Financial Services, Telecom & Media, Public Administrations & Healthcare, Transport & Traffic, and Security & Defense.