We are honoured to launch the new Lanseria International Airport (LIA) Tower and Fire and Rescue Services Complex.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Ltd is an entity of the Department of Transport and was established in 1993 in terms of the ATNS Company Act (Act 45 of 1993), to provide air traffic management solutions and associated services on behalf of the state, in accordance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, the South African Civil Aviation Regulations and Technical Standards and is governed by the nation’s legislative and administrative framework.

Ladies and Gentlemen, ATNS is recognized as global player in air traffic management globally, a centre of excellence as well as an institute of reference. As an African air navigation service provider, we are proud of this accolade. As one of the leading global Air Navigation Services Providers, the company maintains this standing by continuing to train and deploy highly skilled and dedicated air traffic control workforce. ATNS is present in 21 airports, in South Africa, amongst others including Lanseria and employs around 380 air traffic controllers.

Lanseria as an airport has, over the years, grown from being a purely business and general aviation aerodrome to be a fully commercial international player in the airport business. From humble beginnings it has grown to be a multi-network airport connecting with major city pairs such as Cape Town and Durban (King Shaka Airport) as well as George, not to mention connecting regional and international destinations. This LIA achievement is truly commendable and with which ATNS is proud to partner with.

Throughout these years, we have committed to supporting LIA with appropriate air traffic services personnel stationed here at the airport – as well as the seamless integration with OR Tambo terminal airspace. Due to this airport’s type of air traffic operations and volumes, ATNS deployed an automated advanced air traffic management system here in Lanseria in 2011-12, which is now being upgraded into a highly sophisticated and top of the range air traffic management system. This system is planned to be commissioned and operational in 2018.

We are aware that LIA is still growing and will continue to do so in the medium and long term; we can confirm that ATNS is ready and committed to take this journey together with LIA. From an airspace and air traffic management perspective, we are ready to seamlessly manage and integrate LIA Air Traffic into the mainstream busy Gauteng airspace.

Controlling about 10% of the world’s airspace, ATNS deploys latest Communication, Navigation and Surveillance high-technology equipment countrywide (including satellite-based navigation, surveillance, and communication technology), which are vital for the safe and efficient air traffic management throughout the country and which LIA will definitely benefit from.

Ladies and Gentlemen, ATNS is the leader in air traffic and navigation training services in Africa, and our academy, based near the OR Tambo International Airport, produces some of the world’s best air traffic controllers.

Our slogan is ‘Unlocking Winning Partnerships’. We are proud to be associated with LIA and we look forward to many more years of partnership – going forward.