Connecting the future of aviation information exchange in Asia Pacific

Aviation across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East (MID) regions continues to rebound and modernise, bringing new pressures on airlines, airports and air navigation service providers (ANSPs). This increase in air traffic, more complex airspace and the need for safer, more efficient operations mean that seamless, secure information exchange across borders is essential.

That’s why digital aviation depends on reliable communications infrastructure that supports real-time data sharing and collaborative decision-making. To support both current operations and the region’s future aviation transformation, PCCW Global leverages decades of experience in secure, high-speed networks to strengthen the sector’s digital foundation.

A turning point for Aeronautical Information Exchange

Aviation authorities such as the Aeronautical Information Exchange are modernising ground-to-ground communications. Legacy networks that were built for simpler traffic and lower data volumes, are being replaced with flexible, interoperable architectures that can meet the demands of next-generation air traffic management.

Information management is at the core of this evolution. Across APAC and MID, the regions are preparing for increased automation, richer data sharing and more integrated cross-border operations that are reliable and have aligned infrastructure standards.

Ensuring this happens is the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which sets global standards for safe and efficient air navigation. Its Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) provides a roadmap for digital aviation technologies worldwide, with milestones that include:

• Wider adoption of System Wide Information Management (SWIM).
• Enhanced flight information exchange under FF-ICE.
• Greater operational synchronisation through Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO).

Successfully reaching these targets requires a trusted, secure digital backbone – so what is serving the region today?

Enabling regional collaboration with CRV and SWIM

At the heart of modern regional connectivity is the Common Aeronautical Virtual Private Network (CRV). Launched in 2019, CRV connects over 27 administrations and ANSPs across APAC and MID via PCCW Global’s secure, MPLS-based IP network. It powers mission-critical operations across ~40% of global airspace, including:

• Ground-to-ground voice communication.
• AFTN/AMHS message exchange.
• ADS-B surveillance data sharing.
• SWIM information exchange.
• Contingency routing for operational continuity.

CRV is the foundation for ICAO-compliant regional operations and provides a scalable platform for future information management programs. Building on this, PCCW Global introduced SWIM-on-CRV, the world’s first cloud-based, software-as-a-service platform for globally interoperable aeronautical data exchange. SWIM-on-CRV supports ICAO-compliant formats such as:

• IWXXM – meteorological data.
• FIXM – flight information.
• AIXM – aeronautical information.
• ASTERIX – surveillance data.

Hosted on a high-availability private platform, SWIM-on-CRV enables open interfaces, scalable operational expenditure models and aviation-specific protocols to enhance situational awareness. Demonstrations in Hong Kong in 2024 highlighted real-time SWIM data sharing for collaborative air traffic management, showing how weather updates, flight trajectory adjustments and cross-border operational coordination improve decision-making and operational efficiency.

Future roadmap: From SWIM to FF-ICE to TBO

The digital transformation of aviation is not happening in isolation. PCCW Global’s CRV and SWIM services are aligned with ICAO’s GANP roadmap, supporting the transition from current information management practices to advanced digital operations:

• B1-SWIM – standardised data management across stakeholders.
• B2-FF-ICE – extended flight information exchange and planning synchronisation.
• B3-TBO – a fully collaborative operational environment using shared, real-time trajectory data.

This evolution improves airspace predictability, safety margins and operational efficiency, preparing the region for the increasing complexity of future aviation, including unmanned traffic management (UTM) and advanced air mobility.

How PCCW Global supports the region’s aviation digital transformation

PCCW Global delivers end-to-end solutions that enable aviation stakeholders to operate efficiently, securely and in compliance with ICAO standards. Our offering includes:

• CRV infrastructure deployment and maintenance: Ensuring high-availability, secure networks that connect ANSPs, airports and meteorological agencies across APAC and MID.
• Secure global IP/MPLS backbone: Supporting mission-critical communications, resilient operations and cross-border collaboration.
• SWIM-ready network architectures: Enabling real-time aeronautical data exchange for collaborative decision-making.
• Consulting and integration services: Assisting authorities with ICAO compliance, seamless SWIM adoption and operational integration.

By providing a robust, standards-aligned network foundation, PCCW Global helps stakeholders reduce operational silos, enhance situational awareness and collaborate effectively. This support ensures that aviation authorities, ANSPs, airports and airlines can confidently manage today’s traffic while preparing for the future of digital aviation, whether that’s TBO, UTM and AAM operations.

Get in touch to learn how PCCW Global could support your requirements.