Airline Data Link Automation Progress and Issues

To move passengers and cargo from one airport to another requires a large amount of coordination and the transfer of information between support groups. The commercial airlines have automated the transfer of information from voice and paper documents to the use of digital data and have been successful in improving the coordination necessary to provide the highest degree of service to our passengers. This paper takes you on two separate flight segments that identify the old and new process of information transfer. The 2 segments also identifies the need for the FAA Air Traffic System to use the data link process for better coordination of aircraft traffic movement. Both the airline and FAA data link processes are being designed around the concept of the Aeronautical Communications Network (ATN) which will provide data connectivity between all coordinators and provide for a more efficient system to move passengers and cargo between airports.