Airport Sector Alone Worth Over $600 Million

A new study shows expenditures on aeronautical information systems (AIS) and aeronautical information management (AIM) equipment and services is forecast to reach $2.2 billion between 2009 and 2018, according to a new study by air traffic management market research company PMI Media Ltd. "The transition from AIS to AIM will effectively create a new market for information providers, as commercial companies will take over many of the responsibilities currently being undertaken by state organizations," said PMI Media editorial director Philip Butterworth-Hayes.

"There are currently four main sub-markets emerging: completing the ICAO road map for transition to AIM and providing "value added" AIM services to the aircraft-operator, airport and ANSP markets," according to Butterworth-Hayes. "Add training and consultancy to the mix and suddenly this is a significant market for all concerned."

"Integrating AIM data with airport management and operations databases will create a market of over $600 million over the next ten years," said Butterworth-Hayes.

The market will be driven by a rapid growth in data required per flight to support performance-based navigation and aircraft optimization operations. The availability of new standards and technologies will allow for the increasing exchange of data across stakeholders - but will blur the lines between state and commercial providers, managers and distributors of aeronautical information, according to PMI Media.

FMI: www.pmi-media.com