What does the public know about Air Traffic Management?

A recent project carried out at the Experimental Centre indicates that the public isn’t well informed about the management of air traffic. Two exploratory studies launched in 2003 specifically investigated the public perception of ATM (as opposed to Air Transport in general ):

- A synthesis of ATM public perception surveys

- An analysis of 2002-2003 European press

The synthesis investigated existing surveys carried out in the period 1998-2003 to solicit the opinion of the general public on ATM related matters. 80 organisations were approached, ranging from institutions (national & European) to aviation bodies (ANSPs, airlines, airports) and from research establishments to pressure groups. Only three relevant surveys were found - Transport Canada, Eurocontrol/HUM, and DFS. Not surprisingly, the synthesis shows that public awareness of ATM/ATC has rarely been addressed specifically other than for safety perception or recruitment purposes. It also points out that ATC seems to be the only component of ATM that is known to the public.

Report

The press analysis, limited to 7 national newspapers in 4 countries, revealed a very limited interest in and awareness of ATM/ATC, and highlighted the following findings:

- press coverage of ATM/ATC matters is far more national than European

- although ATC rarely appears as a separate topic, there appears to be a connection between an accurate portrayal of the controller’s job and a more balanced understanding of ATM when specific events occur such as the Lake Constance accident

Report + PowerPoint presentation in French

Why should ATM care about public opinion ?

Senior ATM decision makers are influenced by public opinion, directly or through national or local political representatives (this is, for example, particularly noticeable around airports). At a time when increasing air traffic intensifies public annoyance, the pressure for European harmonisation pushes ATM into the political arena where it needs to explain and justify its decisions, addressing all elements in society.

To achieve these objectives and establish a solid relationship with the public, ATM needs to improve its communication. Good communication demonstrates and requires transparency. In public opinion, confidence in ATM is very much linked to confidence in air transport despite the very small percentage of incidents involving ATM. Professionalism and transparency in ATM are potential themes for communicating with the public.

Some communication initiatives have been successful at a local level in Europe. In order to contribute at the EEC, our research proposes to explore how innovative approaches could help to better inform the public about ATM.

Contact Nadine Pilon

Society-Environment-Economy Research Area Web Page

The Society research domain in the Society-Environment-Economy Research Area (EEC/SEE) studies how changes in society such as increased demand for transparency, increased sensitivity to technological risk, increased litigation, security concerns, environmental requirements etc… have an impact on Air Transport and ATM, and how ATM responds to these changes.