Key industry players in the field of air navigation services are gathered in Singapore to attend the 3rd Asia Pacific Regional Air Navigation Service Providers’ (ANSP) Conference. Jointly organised by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the conference is being held at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA1) from 22 to 23 May 2008. The conference, themed “Building Air Navigation Service Capability in the Asia Pacific”, was opened today (22 May) by Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General & Chief Executive Officer, CAAS.

The ANSP conference offers industry leaders a unique platform to exchange and share views on key issues, such as the readiness of Asia Pacific ANSP to meet continued air traffic growth and the challenges in building ANSP capability in the region.

In his welcome address, Mr Lim said, “Within the next couple of years, Asia Pacific is expected to top the chart as the single, largest aviation market by 2010, serving over 27% of all travel. It is therefore apt that the theme for this year is “Building ANS Capability in the Asia Pacific”. It is timely to focus on the building blocks of ANS capabilities and not lose sight of the pivotal role of ANS providers in the provision of sustainable aviation development and growth.”

At the sidelines of the conference, CANSO officially opened its new Asia Pacific Office in Singapore. Located at the SAA, the Asia Pacific Office is the second CANSO Regional Office after the set up of its European Regional Office in Belgium. The location of the Asia Pacific Office in Singapore enhances Singapore’s position as an aviation hub.

Added Mr Lim, “CANSO’s decision to establish a new Asia Pacific Office is significant and timely. It demonstrates CANSO’s interests in air navigation service providers in a region set to become the world’s largest aviation market.” He continued, “We are indeed honoured to be home to this new CANSO Asia Pacific Office along with the regional offices of the other international aviation organisations in the likes of the IATA and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). We also look forward to more opportunities for cooperation between CAAS and CANSO in further improving the safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of air navigation services.”

In addition to hosting CANSO’s Asia Pacific Office at the SAA, CAAS has seconded Mr Chiang Hai Eng, Director of the Changi Airport Advisory Group, as CANSO’s first Director of Asia Pacific Affairs. Mr Chiang, who has vast experience in matters related to air navigation services, will be tasked with the role of leading CANSO’s new Asia Pacific Office and working with ANSPs in the region to respond to the challenges facing air traffic management.