Performance Based Navigation (PBN) is a system which uses satellite-based navigation to improve airport access, shorten flight paths, and increase en route efficiency. Enroute Efficiency is one of the two key components of Next Generation Air Transportation system as per to the article ‘Assessing the Benefits of Next Gen Performance Based Navigation (PBN)’ by Timar and Hunter (2013). Air navigation mainly consists of air traffic controlling, flight information service and alerting service. In air traffic control (ATC), the PBN system plays a pivotal role all over the world ensuring safety and efficiency of air navigation. The PBN system mainly collaborates with satellite navigation to ensure smoother flow of air traffic. The PBN technology has been implemented at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in July 2016. In the report ‘RNAV Training for ATC –Part1’ by Air Traffic Control Association of Japan, it has explained that RNAV (area navigation) is a method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of the station-referenced navigation aids or within the limits of the capability of self-contained aids, or combination of both. ‘Without new technologies, operational procedures and corresponding regulations, it is not possible to increase capacity without decreasing system safety’ (Netjasov, 2010). In this study, the authors explain that the increasing demand for the air transportation services will not be able to serve if new technologies are not introduced in the future. This research explores whether PBN has improved the air transport movement and air traffic controlling activities at BIA in terms of safety, reduction of workload of the air traffic controllers, time saving and cost.

Dayawansha, S.K.N.M., & Sirisoma, R.M.N.T. (2017). Impact of performance based navigation (PBN) technology on air navigational activities at Bandaranaike International Airport Sri Lanka [Extended Abstract]. In T.L. Gunaruwan (Ed.), Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Research for Transport and Logistics Industry 2017 (pp. 143-145). Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics. https://slstl.lk/r4tli-2017/