The upgraded ‘Aeronautical Information Management System’ at BIA declared open. Consequent to fulfilling the mandatory ICAO requirement of quality assurance, the AIM Unit of AASL successfully managed to obtain ISO 9001:2018 QMS Certification.

October 10, 2023

This project marks a significant milestone in AASL efforts to enhance aviation information management and promote safer, resilient, and efficient air travel within the State, and it allows pilots, airline operators, air traffic controllers, and other interested parties to access the latest flight information, and aeronautical maps and charts, submit e-flight plans, as well as to share NOTAMs.

Background to the project

In an increasingly data-reliant automated environment, the smooth and timely flow of accurate, high-quality digital information between aviation actors is of critical importance. Flight plans, NOTAMs, and the latest flight information need to be shared among all airspace users. High-quality aeronautical data is the very first and crucial requirement to ensure safe air navigation. This can be achieved through a single point-of-truth aeronautical database, delivering fully auditable data while preserving the authenticity and integrity of data. Duplicated data are removed, and the risk of data entry errors is clearly minimized.

To cater to this requirement, AASL purchased the Thales Top-Sky AIM System in 2018. The acquisition incurred 3.3 million Euros plus 74 million LKR (equivalent to 1.2 billion LKR at present value). Thales Top-Sky AIM System is one of the most complete, reliable, and globally trusted AIM suites, accessible to all, answering the latest standards and reducing the need for human intervention. It includes a modular set of interoperable components covering the full range of AIM functions.

The outcome of the project and the contribution

This endeavor will align the State with ICAO requirements and industry standards, bringing AASL on par with neighboring States in the Asia Pacific Region.

While the role of aeronautical information, maps, and charts are the foundation building blocks for the successful transition to a global air navigation system, the core of these building blocks lies in the Quality Management System, which will ensure timely provision of quality aeronautical information to the aviation community.

Consequent to fulfilling the mandatory ICAO requirement of quality assurance, AASL AIM Unit successfully managed to obtain ISO 9001:2018 QMS Certification within a very stipulated timeframe.

Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Aviation, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri, Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), Mr. P.A. Jayakantha, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Mr. A Galketiya, Vice Chairman AASL, and other senior officials of AASL participated at the event.