ATNS Milestones

Celebrating over 30 years of safer African skies

On 21 July this year ATNS will celebrate its 30th Birthday! To commemorate this occasion, we have compiled all the major milestones from our founding in 1993 to the present year. We trust you’ll enjoy this trip down memory lane.

2018 to present

 

2018 Hosting of SATFIT
ATA Premier Circle Award
NAFISAT Agreement
2021 ATNS/SANSA MoU (revised and signed)
2013 to 2017
2013 ATNS launched the Aeronautical Management Development Programme (AMDP) – the first of its kind in Africa – in conjunction with the University of the Witwatersrand Business School
ATA awarded IATA Worldwide Top Regional Training Partner
In conjunction with the University of the Witwatersrand Business School, ATNS launched the Aeronautical Management Development Programme (AMDP) – the first of its kind in Africa
The ATA awarded IATA Worldwide Top Regional Training Partner
2014 ATNS and its ASIOACG partners are voted and awarded the prestigious Best Service Provider Award at Jane’s annual ATC Awards Ceremony, held in Spain
The ATA awarded IATA Worldwide Top Regional Training Partner
2015 The ATNS Aviation Training Academy receives the IATA Worldwide Top Regional Training Partner Award for a fifth consecutive year
The Academy becomes an ICAO Regional Training Centre of Excellence
Aireon and South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) signs a Regional Commercialization Agreement to jointly develop the uses of space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data throughout the Southern part of the African continent
2016 The ATNS Aviation Training Academy is designated as an IATA Premier Circle member
2017 ATNS hosts the 7th International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA) Africa Region meeting and Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) workshop
ATNS is certified as a Top Employer (#TECD18) out of 200 companies from 33 African countries
ATNS and the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a national multi-static passive radar facility
2008 to 2012
2008 A first for ATNS in the following: CISM training course, ATNS Safety Week, participation in CANSO safety culture working group
2009 Control tower construction at King Shaka International Airport
2010 The Central Airspace Management Unit (CAMU) Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) tool is implemented
2011 Installation and commissioning of the Total Control 3D aerodrome control simulator
ATA awarded IATA Worldwide Top Regional Training Partner
2012 Inauguration of NAFISAT Master Back-up Terminal in Uganda
Launch of the ground-breaking ATNS AVI AFRIQUE Africa Aviation Innovation Summit
ATA awarded IATA Worldwide Top Regional Training Partner
2003 to 2007
2003 Acceptance of main system at Johannesburg control centre (SAAATS Project)
2004 Completion of SAAATS Project
2005 Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) implementation
Proposed SADC VSAT satellite communication upgrade
2006 Proposed SADC Upper Airspace Control Centre (UACC) implementation
2007 Launch of ATNS’s Safety Management System (SMS)
1998 to 2002
1998 ISO accreditation
1999 Satellite surveillance and communication system (ADS/CPDLC) installation for Indian Ocean area
New high frequency radio system installed
2000 Project Speakeasy complete
Contract for Aeronautical Surveying awarded to ATNS by the FAA
Aviation Training Academy established through ATNS College partnerships with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
2001 Installation of 3D Air Traffic Control simulator at ATNS’s Aviation Training Academy
2002 Construction begins on the South African Advanced Air Traffic System (SAAATS)
1993 to 1997
1993 Founding of ATNS
1995 The founding of the ATNS college to provide air traffic and navigation related training
Start of Project Pronav to upgrade and extend terrestrial navigation systems
1996 Upgrade of Durban International and Port Elizabeth control towers
1997 Completion of Project Pronav