VATM and ICAI sign Partnership Agreement for R&D

Ha Noi, April 17, 2025, at VATM Headquarters, VATM and the International Aviation Innovation Center (ICAI) signed Partnership Agreement on Research and Development in the field of Air Traffic Management. Mr. Nguyen Cong Long, VATM Director General and Mr. Patrick Ky, ICAI CEO represented the two parties to sign the Partnership Agreement under the witness of VATM Members' Council Chairman Le Hoang Minh and representatives of ICAI and VATM.

The Partnership Agreement between VATM and ICAI is to establish official cooperation between the two parties on Research and Development in the field of Air Traffic Management, served as a framework to jointly undertake projects aiming to enhance gate-to-gate efficiency of flight operations and air traffic management (ATM) between Viet Nam and Singapore; furthermore to enhance the sustainability of the aviation industry of each country as well as of the region. 
The density of air traffic movements between Vietnam and Singapore has always been at the top busiest international air routes of Viet Nam. In March 2025, the average number of air traffic movements between Noi Bai and Changi airports (VVNB-WSSS) is more than 70 flights/week, and nearly 150 flights/week between Tan Son Nhat and Changi Airport airports (VVTS-WSSS). Those figures delivered by VATM Chairman at the Signing Ceremony is a firm statement for the high potential and major need for cooperation between Viet Nam ans Singapore in aviation in general and in air traffic management field in particular.
The five areas of collaboration between VATM and ICAI as stated in the Partnership Agreement include: Simulation Studies; Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM); Extended Arrival Management (XMAN); Airport-Airport Collaborative Decision Making (AA-CDM); and Performance Analysis and Evaluation.

Such collaboration contents will be implemented through various activities including: Exchange of information related to development of new concepts of operations for air navigation services; Development of collaborative R&D initiatives; Conduct of experiments to demonstrate new airspace or air traffic management concepts; Organizing joint seminars, workshops and site visits; Exchange of researchers and technical experts; and other forms of cooperation as may be mutually decided by both parties. VATM and ICAI will also establish an R&D committee with equal participation from both sides to carry out research activities in the areas of collaboration.
“The Partnership Agreement marks an important milestone, laying the foundation for a long-term partnership between ICAI and VATM. Through the cooperation activities, ICAI will have the opportunity to support VATM in researching, developing and applying new initiatives and technologies in air navigation services. On the other hand, ICAI also considers this as an opportunity to learn from VATM's experience in addressing challenges arising from the strong and continuous growth of flight operations in Vietnam.” – said Mr. Patrick Ky, ICAI CEO at the Signing Ceremony.

The signing of the Partnership Agreement between VATM and ICAI on R&D in  Air Traffic Management will bring practical benefits to VATM and ICAI in particular, and at the same time contribute significantly to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore, in the context of strong growth of the aviation industry, which contributes remarkable value to the  economy at both national and regional scale. 

Vu Uyen