Brazil, the world’s fifth largest country, in cooperation with Brazil’s Departamento de Controle do Espaço Aéreo (DECEA), ARINC Incorporated today announced the launch of its GLOBALinkSM/VHF ACARS®air-ground data link communications.
The new VHF coverage means commercial airlines will be able to use ARINC’s data link service on all of the major air routes in South America. In addition, airlines operating in Brazil will have a choice of data link providers for the first time. Photo: Azul’s Embraer 190 at Campinas International Airport.
The agreement involves ARINC’s data link service being carried over DECEA’s nationwide network of 22 VHF air-ground and 2 VDLM2 stations. This came after DECEA performed beta testing in 2008, and declared the new system operational in January 2009.
“We are very pleased ARINC’s GLOBALink service is now available through our air-ground network facilities,” stated Tenente Brigadeiro do Ar Ramón Borges Cardoso, General Director of the Department of Air Space Control (DECEA). “Working with a company as experienced as ARINC will allow us to look toward expanding our core ACARS network in the future with developments such as VDLM2 and Controller to Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC).”
“ARINC greatly appreciates DECEA’s decision to bring GLOBALink service into Brazil through their DATACOM air-ground infrastructure,” stated Ron Hawkins, ARINC Vice President, Commercial Aviation Solutions. “This is a positive decision that introduces meaningful competition and will enhance the operational efficiency and safety of all carriers serving Brazil — one of the world’s great airspaces.”
ARINC recently installed its own routers at DECEA’s main network facility, and now monitors Brazilian coverage along with the rest of its worldwide GLOBALink network at the ARINC network operations center in Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
“Data link service in Brazil effectively doubles the size of the ARINC GLOBALink coverage map in Latin America, and substantially reinforces our commitment to the region,” continued Hawkins. “ARINC has also added VHF ground stations recently in Argentina and Colombia, and we plan to deploy additional ground stations throughout the region during 2009.”
