In response to media enquiries about the Tower Electronic Flight Strips (TEFS) System yesterday (December 19), a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) gave the following reply:

     Some information sources alleged that, even though Dubai has been using Autotrac III as its Air Traffic Management System (ATMS), Dubai had abandoned the use of Electronic Flight Strips (EFS) and reverted back to traditional paper strips. It was said that EFS was adopted again only until Dubai got an EFS system from another supplier. Based on the above information, some individuals have some views about the Autotrac III system in Hong Kong, which the CAD would like to clarify.

Comment 1: Airport in Dubai has stopped using EFS?

     Last Friday, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) clarified in public that, according to the CAD's understanding from Raytheon Company, this is not the actual situation. Dubai has planned to replace the paper strips with the EFS gradually. The Air Traffic Control Tower in Dubai has been using EFS. The supplier of Dubai's TEFS System was not developed by Raytheon. There is no question of "changing" to another supplier of the TEFS System.

Comment 2: CAD's TEFS System's problem on December 18 suggested that the system developed by Raytheon is not reliable?

     The CAD's TEFS System has been in operation since 2012 when the old ATMS was in use. The supplier was Frequentis, not Raytheon. Since the commissioning of the new ATMS, the TEFS System was integrated into the new ATMS as a sub-system. Like all other sub-systems, the TEFS could have some issues occasionally, no matter when it operated independently in the past or after it was integrated into the new ATMS. For instance, the occurrence on December 18 could be addressed by rebooting the TEFS System, without undermining aviation safety. The Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs), who have undergone professional training, are able to handle these known phenomena.

     Regardless of the present situation in Dubai, it is important to point out that we should not jump to any conclusion on the basis of some piece-meal information of an incident. Two overseas experts of the ATMS Expert Panel also shared their experience in regard to EFS. They noted that any large-scale system transition or upgrading (including switching from paper flight strips to EFS) involves a significant change in work culture. It is normal and understandable for the ATCOs to take a longer time to adapt. As the operational environments and cultures vary in different places, the required adaptation time also varies. Staff's capabilities and levels of acceptance are most crucial. In this respect, the Hong Kong Air Traffic Control Association has already issued a statement emphasising that the ATCOs are gradually adapting to various functionalities of the new ATMS.

    The CAD would also like to point out that, apart from drawing on overseas experience, the most important thing is that all ATMSs must go through stringent tests. They can only be launched after meeting the international standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization and being adapted to local operational needs, as has been the case in Hong Kong.

    Objective statistics also prove that the ATCOs are getting more familiar with the operation of the new ATMS. The average total daily flight movements handled between December 1 and 15, 2016, were over 1 940 while it was about 1 870 for the same period in 2015. 

Comment 3: Procurement process of the Surveillance Data Processing ("SDP") and Flight Data Processing ("FDP") Systems developed by Raytheon was not in in compliance with the tendering procedures of the Government?

     Please refer to paragraphs 47 to 52 of Report No. 63A of the Public Accounts Committee's Report No. 63A (http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr14-15/english/pac/reports/63a/m_4.pdf).

     During the occurrence in relation to the TEFS on December 18, there was a runway change due to changing wind direction. According to the international standards, flight departure has to be temporarily suspended during a runway change. As a result of the runway change and the TEFS occurrence, there was slight interruption to the departures. Nevertheless, flight movements at the Hong Kong International Airport were generally normal.

     According to the experience of the independent consultant of the Transport and Housing Bureau, National Air Traffic Services (NATS), given the complexity of the new ATMS, even with all reasonable efforts and endeavours, there could still be the possibility of having setbacks during introduction of a new system. The CAD has set up an independent Expert Panel to offer objective advice to DGCA on the teething issues (including the occurrence on December 18) identified since the new ATMS' commissioning. Members of the Expert Panel held the first meeting last week and affirmed NATS' views.

Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 1:02

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