scope:

FOREWORD

The continuous growth of aviation has increased the demands on airspace capacity and efficiency in the services provisions, therefore emphasizing the need for greater equity in airspace access, improved access to timely and meaningful information for decision support and more autonomy in decision making.

An important step toward this goal and toward an integrated, responsive global air traffic management (ATM) system, relies on the migration of paper-based, product-centred aeronautical information services (AIS) to data-centric and digital aeronautical information management (AIM). To facilitate this transition, Annex 15 - Aeronautical Information Services provisions were restructured and amended to clarify the scope, role, main functions, products and services of AIM and the associated update mechanisms.

The 16th edition of Annex 15 contains high-level requirements and performance specifications for States. These requirements are organized such that data collection is decoupled from the definition of aeronautical products and will facilitate the modernization of the ATM environment according to the principles of system wide information management (SWIM).

The Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aeronautical Information Management (PANS-AIM, Doc 10066) contains operating practices that are too detailed for inclusion in the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of Annex 15. The PANS-AIM provides a means for increased harmonization within the aeronautical information domain and accommodates emerging technical requirements.

This manual has been revised to provide guidance for the successful implementation of AIM. It explains the provisions contained in Annex 15 and PANS-AIM, provides background information on certain specifications, helps illustrate their meaning and exemplifies means by which these specifications can be met.