New research institute to tackle air traffic congestion

SINGAPORE: A new Air Traffic Management Research Institute will be set up next year to tackle air traffic congestion.

S$50 million has also been set aside to fund research and development projects at the institute.

Air traffic is projected to grow 4 to 5 per cent a year in the next 10 years.

The research institute will contribute to enhanced safety and air traffic efficiency.

This could help expand Changi Airport’s aircraft handling capacity by about 40 per cent.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) signed an agreement on Tuesday with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to set up the institute.

NTU said it will be able to translate its fundamental research into feasible applications in the real world through the institute.

It will also benefit students at various levels.

NTU School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering’s chair and professor Chua Chee Kai said: "This becomes the pool which can be absorbed into the industry for Air Traffic Management. CAAS has also said that they might also consider to recruit some of them so that eventually they have the scientific know—how within CAAS to undertake future projects."

— CNA/ck