I think that that message is starting to matter in the airline industry. Then people start to look at the other options, but this is the only one of the future technologies that works. In fact there are, but not in the air-transport world. As with the GNSS, air transport may be the most demanding customer for the technology, but it will ultimately he among the most numerically insignificant. The work programme is to demonstrate the benefits of ADS-B systems to the user, to develop and validate the technology for ATM and to establish a cost database.
Talks are under way with a Danish commuter carrier as well.
Most of the Swedish and Danish stations, plus Braunschweig, are already operating. Eventually, it is intended to have ten to 15 airborne units and 20-25 ground stations under the NEAN effort. At SAS, F28 chief technical pilot Lars Lindberg is chairman of a project group looking at new navigation aids, and he is specifically responsible for the NEAN input. The initial transponders are scheduled to be replaced with updated units which will comply with draft ICAO standards and recommended procedures. At SAS, the programme could have radical consequences for operating procedures.