Aireon LLC, the developer of the world’s first space-based global air traffic surveillance system, announced today that it signed a data services agreement with the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), the air traffic services provider in the Seychelles Flight Information Region (FIR). Through this agreement, SCAA will gain access to complete surveillance of the Seychelles FIR region, covering an area of approximately 2.63 million square kilometers, a majority of which is oceanic airspace, and borders the flight information regions of Kenya, Somalia, India, Mauritius, Madagascar and Tanzania.

SCAA operates a strategically vital airspace block that is seeing increased air traffic flow, particularly between Africa, India and the Asia-Pacific region. By partnering with Aireon, SCAA becomes the second African air navigation service provider to sign on for Aireon’s space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) global aircraft tracking solution. Once deployed, Aireon’s system will feature real-time flight monitoring for ADS-B Out equipped aircraft, covering 100 percent of the globe.

“Aireon’s ADS-B solution will instantly create a safer and more efficient airspace for the Seychelles,” said Gilbert Faure, CEO, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority. “As the expected increase in air traffic throughout our region continues, this system will ensure we remain on the cutting-edge of air traffic surveillance technology, allowing us to better serve our customers.”

With such significant oceanic airspace, and due to various avionics mandates, aircraft flying within the Seychelles FIR are already highly equipped with ADS-B and controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) systems. This positions air carriers to also immediately reap the benefits of the new air traffic surveillance system while flying in the Seychelles airspace.

“By signing this agreement, the SCAA has shown its commitment to creating a safer and more efficient airspace that will be prepared to tackle the challenges of increasing air traffic over the next several decades,” said Don Thoma, CEO, Aireon. “Aireon is excited to work with SCAA to help ensure that this vital stretch of oceanic airspace, including the Indian Ocean, will have 100 percent surveillance 24/7.”

About Aireon LLC

Aireon is deploying a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon will harness next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that are currently ground-based and, for the first time ever, extend their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Real-time ADS-B surveillance will cover oceanic, polar and remote regions, as well as augment existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) from around the world, like NAV CANADA, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), ENAV and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon will have an operational, global, space-based air traffic surveillance system by 2018. www.aireon.com