Korean and Japanese Experts in Air Traffic Control gathered in Busan

The 8th ATC Operation Working Group Meeting

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced Monday that the Ministry will hold the 8th Korea-Japan ATC Operation Working Group Meeting with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) in Busan from 17 to 19 April 2013.

Established in 2005 for the purpose of enhancing bilateral technical cooperation and exchanging views on the latest air traffic control issues among Korean and Japanese ATC experts, this annual working group meeting has been hosted by the two countries in turn.

ATC experts from both countries have met for the working group meeting since its inception, and the meeting has played a big part in ensuring safer flight operations and shortening flight time by reaching an agreement on reducing separation minima and improving air traffic control service among participating experts.

At this year's meeting, the participants are to discuss issues such as how to operate air traffic services (ATS) route linking ROK and Japan on the East Sea in a more efficient manner, an implementation plan for automated radar hand-off between the two ATC units, and measures to mitigate traffic congestion on ATS routes connecting ROK with Southeast Asian countries.

MOLIT said it will further discuss latest ATC issues and enhance technical cooperation with Japanese counterparts by hosting the bilateral meeting on a regular basis. Moreover, the Ministry plans to leverage this meeting as a platform for stepping up the nation's practical collaboration with Japan in the area of ATC in creating the environment for future air traffic in the Northeast Asia.