Airways International and Tāwhaki Joint Venture have announced a collaboration agreement to help drive the growth of the New Zealand aerospace sector by enabling the safe integration of new and existing aerospace technologies in the airspace system.
The agreement, announced on June 11, 2024, identifies key target areas to fast-track testing of uncrewed aircraft that can benefit operators, policy makers and regulators in New Zealand and around the world.
As part of the collaboration, Tāwhaki will shortly be deploying the latest iteration of Airways International’s uncrewed traffic management (UTM) system, AirShare, at the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete. The AirShare UTM system aims to share the air safely and efficiently by providing a clear picture of airspace activity for operators at the multi-use site and supporting future projects.
The two organisations are also looking to set up initiatives with sector-wide benefits, such as flight corridors, that can explore future concepts of operations in airspaces and support new types of aircraft. The data and learnings from these projects would directly assist policy makers, regulators and standards development organisations to prepare for these operations and new and uncrewed aircraft becoming commonplace.
Airways International CEO Sharon Cooke said, “We’re excited to be partnering with Tāwhaki to provide UTM services and trial advanced UTM features and traffic management concepts aimed at creating the aviation environment of the future.”
Tāwhaki, recognised as one of the world’s premier locations for aerospace, launch and space exploration, is attracting companies from around the world and supporting aerospace endeavours from research and development to innovative start-ups and full-scale operators at its National Aerospace Centre.
Tāwhaki CEO Linda Falwasser highlighted the importance of partnerships like this for the sector to thrive.
“We need to be responsive and progressive in how we help this sector grow and working together to find practical, forward-looking solutions is key. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Airways International to create world-leading testing environments for advanced aviation systems and technologies, so we can safely develop more sustainable transport options and tackle some of the big challenges facing our people and planet,” she said.
