SF Airlines, China's leading freight airline, will retrofit its aircraft with Thales/ACSS avionics to improve air traffic efficiency and capacity.

In a statement, Thales said it will supply airborne ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) equipment for SF Airlines' fleet to improve air traffic efficiency and capacity, in an active response to CAAC's (Civil Aviation Administration of China) call for the implementation of ADS-B technology.

Thales and ACSS will provide ADS-B-compliant solutions for SF Airlines' existing 59 aircraft and future optional aircraft, notably including replacement TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System), TCAS directional antenna, and ATC (Air Traffic Control) transponders.

Thales said ADS-B will enable air traffic controllers to get much improved situational awareness on the real-time aircraft information provided by their internal GPS, with more accuracy than with the usual radar.

CAAC mandates all China's in-service aircraft are mandated to implement ADS-B Out Version 2 functions by the end of 2022.

With this contract, the Thales partnership will provide ADS-B-compliant solutions for SF Airlines' existing 59 aircraft and future optional aircraft.

Corresponding airborne equipment will be installed based on the different configuration of each aircraft, including replacement TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System), TCAS directional antenna, and ATC (Air Traffic Control) transponders, etc.

This avionics retrofit of 59 aircraft will be fully implemented by the end of 2022.

In addition to the airborne equipment, Thales has also provided ADS-B ground station equipment to China.

Established in 2009, SF Airlines is a brand of cargo airline under S.F. Holding and headquartered in Shenzhen with bases in Hangzhou and Beijing.

SF Airlines is now the freight airlines with the largest fleet size in China with 59 total number of aircraft operated, flying to more than 60 cities and regions.