ENSURING SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR SOUTH AFRICA WITH COMPLEXITY AND WHOLE-OF-SOCIETY THEORY APPROACHES

Abstract

Air traffic management is a complex multi-disciplinary socio-technical system of systems that directly supports the air transportation industry. With the introduction of new technologies into the air traffic management system, there is a lack of understanding of the effects of new technology on people, machines, procedures, and regulatory environments. There is thus a demonstrable need for methods to determine credible requirements that can be used to outline operating procedures, policies, tools, and techniques for continued resilience. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework using the ‘whole-of-society’ perspective and tools such as complexity theory, applying these to air traffic management in South Africa. The framework is developed further to understand the requirements for ensuring a resilient and sustained air traffic management network.