Infocom-Avia (part of Azimut) and the Aeroflot Russian airlines (the biggest airlines in the Russia) have signed an agreement for commercial operation of a domestic Air-Ground digital data link System (ACARS). The system meets all international standards and improves fleet operational efficiency and flight safety.

The Russian ACARS system was developed by Infocom-Avia in collaboration with Azimut (Head company) to substitute foreign alternatives that became unavailable to Russian airlines due to sanctions. The absence of foreign providers has significantly reduced the efficiency of aircraft fleet and increased economic losses for Russian carriers.
 

As a part of import substitution efforts, Azimut developed the necessary hardware. Infocom-Avia is a Data Service Operator. A network of ground stations was deployed for key flight routes: “north-south” and “east-west” and a data processing center was established in Russia.

The domestic ACARS service provides digital exchange of aviation messages with aircraft. “Aircraft-to-ground” data transfer (downlink) helps to transmit telemetry from the aircraft to the airline's control center in real time. Digital communication ensures exchange of weather forecasts, other key information and instructions with crew, including in critical situations.

Russian airlines, including Aeroflot, participated in ACARS testing from the outset.

"The number of airlines adopting our domestic ACARS service continues growing. Last year, approximately two-thirds of Russia's aircraft fleet used this system. ACARS significantly improves both operational efficiency and flight safety. We plan nationwide coverage and full integration of all Russian airlines," said Viktor Solomentsev, CEO of Infocom-Avia.
 

Future ACARS implementations will introduce new ATM service capabilities previously unavailable in Russia, including:

•  Digital Automatic Terminal Information Service (D-ATIS)

•  Digital Clearance Delivery (DCL)

•          Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC)