A new Centre for Advanced Studies in Air Traffic Management (CASIA) opened in Melbourne thi month, firmly putting Victoria on the global map as a centre of excellence in Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems.
Officially opening Thales Australia Air Operations’ CASIA facility at the World Trade Centre, Minister for the Aviation Industry Gordon Rich-Phillips said the facility represented a significant addition to the state’sworld-class aerospace research and development capabilities.
“Thales Australia is part of a leading global international electronics and operations group operating in 60 countries, and the Victorian Coalition Government is extremely proud that our state is home to Thales’ global Centre of Excellence for Air Traffic Management R&D,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
“Thales Australia Air Operations (TAAO) is a major supplier of air traffic management systems in the Asia-Pacific region, responsible for the technology guiding all flights within Australia and 50 per cent of the world’s passenger aircraft movements.
“In 2009, the company achieved $220 million in exports to Singapore, the Netherlands and US and received the 2010 Governor of Victoria Export Award for information and communication technology.
“The next generation air traffic management product, under way by Thales in Melbourne, will be supplied to the world market and is expected to achieve up to $1 billion in export sales for Victoria.”
Mr Rich-Phillips said Thales’ major investment in its ATM business in Melbourne, supported by the Coalition Government, ensured Victoria remained the lead Australian state for aerospace, accounting for 40 per cent of national output.
Thales Australia’s CASIA facility will be a key part of the development of the next generation ATM technologies for the world market and provide training on ATM innovations for customers, educational institutions and Thales employees.