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Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne has officially opened the Thales Australia World Trade Centre offices in Melbourne, as the OneSKY project rolls on.
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Minister Pyne officially opened the offices, which will host the OneSKY team that is developing the Civil Military Air Traffic Management System for the Department of Defence and Airservices Australia.
Minister Pyne said he is excited for the project, which will replace Australia's ageing military air traffic management systems, as well as helping with civilian travel.
"The OneSKY project will transform Australia’s air traffic management system and national infrastructure in the sky, ensuring the travelling public arrive at their destination safely and with minimal delays," Minister Pyne said.
The project is considered to be a world-first and is being developed within Australia by Australians.
"This office will support up to 550 specialist high-tech jobs in Melbourne across the land and air traffic management businesses, building Australian skills in complex project management, systems engineering and software development," said Minister Pyne.
"A further 200 Australian job opportunities are expected in the Australian supply chain. In fact, around 75 per cent of the OneSKY acquisition cost and 95 per cent of the ongoing annual support costs will be to Australian companies.
"These jobs will contribute to the development of an integrated system that will manage more than 11 per cent of global airspace and some of the world’s busiest air routes."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the facility will be used to "develop the most advanced and integrated air traffic control system in the world.
"The system will manage forecasted growth of air traffic movement in Australia, by as much as 60 per cent by 2030, minimising delays for the travelling public," said Minister McCormack.
"Under OneSKY, Australia will be better able to handle forecast air traffic growth, which will reduce congestion and open up more efficient air routes to reduce flight times and fuel costs."
OneSKY is being developed in partnership by Airservices and Defence with Thales Australia, and the system will see air traffic controllers use advanced technology and real-time traffic prediction tools, as they guide aircraft and the flying public safely to their destinations.
Airservices Australia said airlines will have more flexibility to fly the most efficient routes for their aircraft, spending less time in the air, saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions.
OneSKY will manage all civilian and military air movements across 11 per cent of the earth’s airspace, covering the continent of Australia and extending beyond the Indian Ocean and New Zealand.
