Datalink refers to a system of text message transmission between the aircraft and ground. Operators use datalink to transmit airline operational control messages, or AOC, and flight crew and air traffic controllers can communicate via controller to pilot datalink communications (ATC).
At EUROCONTROL, we support datalink operations, performance monitoring activities, as well as the development and deployment of datalink technologies.
We support the efforts to deploy VDL2 in Europe and prepare for the future datalinks (SATCOM, LDACS and AeroMACS for safety communications) supporting the definition, validation and eventual deployment of the Future Communications Infrastructure (FCI) - a systems of systems comprising legacy and new technologies.
We also help stakeholders monitor their current datalink operations and assist them in resolving technical issues affecting safety, capacity, performance and interoperability on a European level.