Minister for Defence & Minister for Defence Industry - OneSKY ready for take off

Australia’s skies are to become even safer with a reduction in travel times and delays for travelers following the implementation of the world’s most advanced air traffic management system technology.

Airservices Australia, in partnership with the Department of Defence, has entered into an agreement with Thales Australia to integrate the nation’s civil and military air traffic management systems. This is a world first and the pioneering OneSKY program will further earmark Australia as a global aviation leader and deliver on the Coalition’s 2013 election commitment.

Under OneSKY, Australia will be better able to handle forecast air traffic growth which will reduce congestion and open up more efficient air routes to reduce flight times, fuel costs and greenhouse emissions.

Minister Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said OneSKY was an important development for the future of Australian aviation and Australian jobs.

“The $1.2 billion OneSKY project will transform Australia’s air traffic management system and national infrastructure in the sky, ensuring the travelling public arrive at their destination safely and with minimal delays,” Minister Pyne sad.

“The OneSKY project will support 450 specialist high-tech jobs in Melbourne, building Australian skills in complex project management, systems engineering and software development.

“Around 75 per cent of the acquisition cost and 95 per cent of the ongoing annual support costs will be to Australian companies,” Minister Pyne said.

With the annual Asia-Pacific air traffic growth rate predicted to be the second-highest in the world at 4.7 per cent, and significant development at our major airports over the next decade, the role of air traffic control is more critical than ever.

Minister for Defence Marise Payne said OneSKY’s leading edge technology meant Australia would have the most secure and resilient air traffic network in the world.

“This project will replace the ageing military air traffic management systems and is essential to ensuring our ADF can continue to operate safely in Australia’s airspace,” Minister Payne said.

“The integrated system will manage more than 11 per cent of global airspace and some of the world’s busiest air routes.

“As a result of reaching this important milestone, OneSKY will be removed from Defence’s Projects of Concern list,” Minister Payne said.

Once implemented, Airservices Australia and Defence will share technology and information, giving Australia the most advanced and integrated air traffic control system in the world. It will manage forecasted growth of air traffic movement in Australia, by as much as 60 per cent by 2030, minimising delays for the travelling public.