Air Traffic and Navigation Services

The Air Traffic and Navigation Service Company Limited (ATNS) is a South African State-Owned Company (SOC) Ltd, established in 1993 in terms of the ATNS Company Act (Act 45 of 1993) - to provide air traffic management solutions and associated services on behalf of the State. ATNS is responsible for air traffic control in approximately 10% of the world's airspace. These services accord with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and recommended practices, as well as the South African Civil Aviation Regulations and Technical Standards. ATNS is also a network provider for the VSAT Networks in Africa. The SADC VSAT II Network has been in operation since 1998 and has eliminated all communication deficiencies in the SADC region. This network is fulfilling the region's communication requirements in terms of the ICAO Africa / Indian Ocean (AFI) plan. It has succeeded in integrating a regional communications network, contributing to increased communication allowing for greater safety on air traffic movements and is financially sustainable. The network covers 15 Southern and Central African states with links to Accra and Dakar, whilst the North East African Satellite (NAFISAT) network covers 13 countries in East and North African states.