Page 51 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

important that the data is transmitted to have coverage of 68.3 and 65.7 percent loses network or if the bandwidth is simply
ground stations beyond the remote-control respectively. not sufficient for live video broadcasting in
station of the pilot. This could be either for Solutions need to be developed on how the middle of a live feed?
example live broadcasting of the drone’s to handle situations when drones lose
camera or saving time for data processing. connectivity via cellular mobile networks. CONCLUSION
Since it is often a large amount of data, Another important thing to consider is that Mobile networks can be the solution for
a data connection with large and fast most mobile networks are designed for several issues the drone industry has to
bandwidth is required, which could offer best coverage on a terrestrial level. The deal with, but it still needs to be fully
stable 5G network coverage. availability of the coverage and bandwidth integrated in the ecosystem. All drones
up to the lower part of the airspace must must be equipped with the mobile com-
CHALLENGES AHEAD be analyzed and guaranteed. munication modules and 5G infrastructure
STABLE NETWORK must be in place.
WIDE NETWORK COVERAGE The mobile network does not only need Although the technology comes
For a safe and effective usage from drones, to have a good coverage, but also must be with great benefits, it still needs to be
considered that there is no guarantee of
on the one hand, there must be compre- stable. That means that with increased data 100% coverage and bandwidth and further
hensive network coverage in place. traffic capabilities which come with the 5G, testing is required. Currently, mobile
According to a measurement by a sufficient bandwidth must be ensured so networks are designed and optimized
OpenSignal.com, South Korea has 97.5 that the drone does not constantly loses to serve users at ground level. New and
percent network coverage of the current network or can broadcast a live video in specific challenges of drones operating as
4G network, followed by Japan with 94.7 high quality. mobile terminals in airspace are expected
percent. A stable network, together with wide to arise. Q
Other drone industry leading nations like network coverage, also ensures a continu- Article courtesy: https://www.droneii.
France or Germany still need to expand ous connection the drone is flying. com/drones-and-5g-improving-drone-con-
their cellular infrastructure as they only What happens if the drone constantly nectivity

NEWS DIGITAL

EUROCONTROL STATES DEFER

AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT FEES

by Gregory Polek

was due on April 13, reported ERA. Eurocontrol has agreed to
defer that bill until November.
A piece of what IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac “This swift action taken by the Eurocontrol member states will
has called some good news for the European airline industry provide airlines with more flexibility as they financially plan for
came after a financial package from Eurocontrol member stated the future,” said ERA director general Montserrat Barriga.
that operators can defer €1.1 billion of air traffic control fees “Aviation will be instrumental in Europe’s economic recovery,
due to the continent’s air traffic management industry over ‘the and financial relief measures are needed urgently to ensure our
airlines can continue to operate, providing connectivity, once we
coming months’ . move towards recovery. The announcement by Eurocontrol will
The number of flights operating daily in European airspace certainly aid our airlines in this recovery process.”
has declined by 90 percent due to the effects of the Covid-19 IATA’s de Juniac complimented the world’s governments for
pandemic, and IATA sees little improvement until the continent their “very supportive and open attitudes” toward financial
lifts its lockdown. relief measures in general. However, he also called for them to
Europe, in fact, has seen the most severe decline of any part in implement the aid packages immediately.
the world, where regions average about a 70 percent reduction in “This is the biggest crisis we have ever had in front of us,” said
traffic, according to IATA chief economist Brian Pearce. de Juniac. “Now we desperately need these [rescue] packages
In a statement issued soon after Eurocontrol announced to be implemented and the money to flow to our balance
the measures, the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) sheets because we are clearly running out of cash. Whatever
commended the member states for the relief. the measure is, we need it now because after three weeks of
Estimates for 2020 called for European air traffic management shutdown for many of our members and two months of cash
fees for en route services to total €8.2 billion, based on forecast in hand at the beginning of the year…we urgently need cash
traffic and the projected cost of services from air navigation injection by any means.” Q
service providers (ANSPs). Article courtesy: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/
The bill for February totalled €518 million; the next payment air-transport

World Airnews | May Extra 2020
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