The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to install Data Communications (Data Comm) technology at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Data Comm allows air-traffic controllers to send text-based instead of radio advisories, departure clearance instructions, flight crew requests and reports to flight crews of equipped aircraft. The technology is designed to eliminate misunderstandings, improve safety and reduce delays.
Carriers expected to benefit from the technology include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, and UPS.
Data Comm has been installed at 55 airports since 2015. It will be installed at Seattle-Tacoma starting in 2019.
The FAA forecasts Data Comm will save $1 billion in operating costs over the 30-year life cycle of the program and save carriers more than $10 billion.
The program is voluntary, but requires aircraft are equipped with VHF Digital Link radios and Future Air Navigation System avionics.
More than 1,100 aircraft have been equipped since February, putting the FAA on track to meet its goal of 1,900 domestic aircraft equipped by 2019.
Users include commercial aviation, international airlines and the military. More than 45 members of the National Airspace System are using Data Comm.
High-altitude airspace services will be available at all 20 en route centers by 2021, with the third phase of the program scheduled to begin in 2022.