Trinidad & Tobago Signs Agreement to Utilize Aireon’s ADS-B Surveillance Data
Trinidad and Tobago Expands Aviation Safety Capabilities with Aireon’s Space-Based ADS-B Surveillance Across the Piarco FIR In a significant milestone for regional aviation safety and operational efficiency, the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) has officially signed a contract to implement Aireon’s cutting-edge space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data service. This move positions Trinidad and Tobago at the forefront of airspace management innovation in the Caribbean, bringing a new level of surveillance capability to one of the busiest and most strategically important aviation corridors in the region.
The agreement provides for the deployment of space-based ADS-B surveillance data across the entire Piarco Flight Information Region (FIR), an expansive area that spans approximately 2.5 million square kilometers in the Eastern Caribbean. The deployment marks a major advancement in the region’s air traffic management infrastructure, introducing real-time visibility of aircraft movements across vast oceanic and remote areas that were previously reliant on less precise radar or procedural separation methods.
A Strategic Hub in Global Aviation
The Piarco FIR, managed by the TTCAA, is not only one of the largest FIRs in the Caribbean but also a critical transit corridor for international air traffic. It facilitates the movement of aircraft between major regions, including Europe, Africa, Central America, and South America. The FIR serves as a bridge for traffic between continents and supports a large volume of long-haul flights that cross the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea.
Given its strategic location, the Piarco FIR plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of international routes. The integration of Aireon’s surveillance data ensures that Trinidad and Tobago will now have access to real-time, global aircraft position data with high accuracy, regardless of whether an aircraft is flying over land or water. This data will allow air traffic controllers to optimize routing, reduce separation minima, and respond quickly to any potential issues.
Meeting Post-Pandemic Growth with Technology
Air travel has rebounded significantly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Caribbean is no exception. With tourism and trade once again on the rise, the skies over Trinidad and Tobago are busier than ever. The TTCAA recognized the need for more robust and modern tools to handle this increased air traffic volume without compromising safety.
The adoption of Aireon’s space-based ADS-B technology directly addresses this need by enhancing the air navigation service provider’s (ANSP’s) ability to monitor and manage flights in real time. This includes better tracking of aircraft during en route segments over oceanic regions where traditional radar is not available, reducing the need for wide separation standards and allowing more aircraft to safely utilize the same airspace.
“Our airspace has become increasingly dynamic,” noted a senior TTCAA official. “With more aircraft traversing our skies, particularly in high-altitude oceanic routes, having access to real-time data is a game changer. Aireon’s ADS-B service will enable our controllers to operate with greater situational awareness, which translates into safer and more efficient operations.”
Seamless Integration with Neighboring FIRs
One of the key benefits of adopting Aireon’s system is the regional consistency it enables. Several neighboring ANSPs—including NAV Portugal, ASECNA, Cape Verde, Curaçao, French Guiana, and COCESNA—are already leveraging Aireon’s space-based surveillance data to manage their respective FIRs. With Trinidad and Tobago now joining this network, aircraft moving between FIRs in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Central America can be tracked seamlessly, without gaps in coverage or inconsistencies in surveillance quality.
“This level of regional alignment is critical,” said Aireon CEO Don Thoma. “The Piarco FIR is nearly surrounded by equally safety-conscious ANSPs who are also using Aireon data. That means aircraft flying between Central America and Europe, or between Central America and Africa, will all benefit from the world’s most reliable and accurate surveillance information. In the end, that means more efficiency and increased safety throughout the region.”
Thoma emphasized that Aireon’s space-based ADS-B system offers global coverage, even in the most remote or oceanic areas, and is particularly beneficial for regions with large expanses of uncontrolled or radar-limited airspace.
How Space-Based ADS-B Works
ADS-B is a surveillance technology in which an aircraft determines its position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcasts it, enabling it to be tracked by ground stations or, in this case, by satellites in low Earth orbit. Aireon’s system uses a constellation of satellites equipped with ADS-B receivers to collect this information and relay it to air navigation service providers.
Unlike conventional radar systems, which are constrained by line-of-sight limitations and require significant infrastructure investment, Aireon’s space-based solution offers persistent, global coverage with minimal need for physical ground infrastructure. This makes it especially valuable for countries and regions with vast oceanic airspace, mountainous terrain, or isolated locations.
For TTCAA, the integration of this technology means they can now receive accurate position updates from aircraft every few seconds, improving both safety oversight and the efficiency of air traffic flow. It also supports improved search and rescue capabilities, environmental monitoring, and potential reductions in carbon emissions as flights can be managed with more direct and fuel-efficient routing.
Transforming Caribbean Aviation
The partnership between TTCAA and Aireon is a forward-looking investment in the modernization of airspace infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago and the broader Caribbean region. It reflects a shared commitment to aviation safety, technological advancement, and environmental sustainability.
By enabling real-time surveillance of all aircraft within the Piarco FIR—regardless of whether they are flying over land or open sea—the TTCAA is setting a new standard for air traffic management in the Caribbean. The deployment of Aireon’s service also opens the door to further innovation, including integration with performance-based navigation (PBN), collaborative decision-making tools, and even future automation applications that could redefine how air traffic is managed in the decades to come.
As part of its implementation plan, TTCAA will work closely with Aireon to integrate the surveillance data into its air traffic management systems and provide training and support for controllers and technical personnel. The authority is also expected to engage with regional partners to ensure harmonization of procedures and optimize the benefits of real-time surveillance across borders.
A New Era for Air Traffic Surveillance in the Caribbean
The signing of the contract between TTCAA and Aireon marks more than just a technical upgrade—it signals a new era in which Caribbean aviation is embracing state-of-the-art surveillance capabilities to meet the evolving needs of a growing global aviation network. As the skies grow busier and more complex, this bold step will ensure that Trinidad and Tobago continues to lead the way in ensuring safety, reliability, and operational excellence.