JEDDAH The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia is to introduce VHF air-to-ground data communication services over the country’s entire airspace in partnership with Sita, the IT business and communications services provider. The move is in response to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations to enhance the country’s air navigation service. The authority will deploy 17 Sita VHF ground stations that will expand Sita’s existing coverage and replace six older generation VHF ground stations, by providing data link coverage services over the country’s entire domestic airspace. Recognizing the need for increased bandwidth at the major airports and in preparation for the implementation of the ICAO-defined Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) the authority will also deploy VHF Digital Link Mode 2 services at Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina international airports. Abdallah Mohammed Noor Rhaimy, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said, “[The authority] will own and operate a state-of-the-art VHF Digital Link and VHF infrastructure and this will enable us to provide our customer airlines with new services that will enhance airspace capacity, safety and efficiency.” The expanded data link coverage will also support the delivery of a digital Automatic Terminal Information Service and Departure Clearance services as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization Planning and Implementation Regional Group.

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