Atech, a company within the Embraer Group, has signed a contract with Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) to replace South Africa’s current Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) system. The state-owned ATNS is responsible for air navigation across South Africa. The new solution will be installed at the main Air Traffic Control Centre at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. It will also include a disaster recovery centre to maintain operational continuity, as well as a training and simulation environment for staff development and system testing.
South Africa manages around 283,000 flights annually, linking more than 20 domestic and 35 international destinations. The updated ATFM system is expected to enhance airspace planning and coordination by balancing scheduled flights with the available capacity of airports and airspace sectors. This will allow better responses to factors such as weather, construction, and operational constraints. It will also enable coordinated schedule adjustments with airlines and airports, reduce delays, and improve operational predictability and safety.
According to Rodrigo Persico, CEO of Atech, the contract reinforces the company’s international expansion strategy and its commitment to delivering high-impact air traffic management solutions. He said the new system would provide a more efficient, resilient, and predictable operational environment, benefiting passengers, airlines, and airports while strengthening the competitiveness of South Africa’s civil aviation system.
The new ATFM solution will follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, specifically document 9971. It will incorporate demand-capacity balancing and collaborative decision-making tools for pre-tactical and tactical phases. It will also feature airport slot management to allow airlines to plan schedules in advance, real-time operational dashboards, and post-analysis performance indicators. Integration with neighbouring Flight Information Regions will support cross-border coordination, while an Initial Flight Plan System aligned with EUROCONTROL standards will cut processing time.
The contract is expected to last two years, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
