The Sixth meeting of the ATC (Air Transport Services) Inter-facility Data Communication Task Force (APA TF/6) was held from 14 to 16 July 2020 by teleconference. The meeting was informed that AIDC implementation in South China Sea sub-region had been satisfactory while further efforts by States in the Bay of Bengal sub-region are required. The summary of the new AIDC connections that have been implemented since the APA TF/5 meeting are listed below:
- Automatic handling over based on OLDI ICD between Shenyang ACC and Khabarovsk ACC implemented in October 2019 over a dedicated line;
- AIDC operational implementation between Kuala Lumpur ACC and Chennai OCC came into effect on 1 April 2020;
- Operational AIDC between Singapore ACC and Kuala Lumpur ATCC with limited messages set was implemented on 1 November 2019;
- Operational AIDC between Bangkok ACC and Kuala Lumpur ATCC with limited messages set was implemented on 14 March 2020;
- Operational AIDC between Bangkok ACC and Vientiane ACC with 5 messages set was implemented on 14 July 2020;
- AIDC service between Manila ACC and Hong Kong ACC implemented on 23 May 2019;
- AIDC service between Manila ACC and Singapore ACC implemented on 1 November 2019; and
- AIDC service between Manila ACC and Taipei ACC implemented on 5 December 2019.
The meeting noted that the new ATM Automation System in Bangkok was put into operation by Thailand on 12 February 2020. The meeting congratulated the Philippines and Thailand for successful implementation of a number of new AIDC connections with their counterparts using their new ATM system. The meeting encouraged States/Administrations concerned to continue work bilaterally to expedite implementation of those planned AIDC connections as priorities identified by APANPIRG.
The graphical map for quick and easy understanding of the regional AIDC implementation status initiated by CAA. Singapore and updated by the meeting is shown below.
The latest AIDC issues were presented by Indonesia with supported by India and Singapore. Totally 89 issues were consolidated. The meeting considered that the issue table would continue to serve as a reference for other States. A summary of the identified issues is shown in the table below:
| Fault Categories | APA TF/6 (2020) | ||
| Issues Reported | Closed | Open | |
| a. Communication Link | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| b. ATM System | 50 | 20 | 30 |
| c. AIDC Message | 17 | 15 | 2 |
| d. Airspace Design/Procedures | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| e. Other | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Total | 89 | 44 | 45 |
The meeting encouraged States/Administrations to provide the identified issues with recommended solutions to Indonesia for consolidation into the issues form.
There are also a number of AIDC connections planned for implementations in 4Q2020 or early 2021. Noting the achievements made in completion of tasks specified in the TOR and the discussions at CNS SG/23 meeting, the APA TF/6 meeting considered it necessary to continue the work of the Task Force for a short period of time. The meeting agreed to have another meeting in the first half of 2021 to review the implementation status of those AIDC connections planned for completion by the end of 2020 and/or early 2021.