Emerging technologies for future skies: System Wide Information Management (SWIM)

System wide information management (SWIM) means different things to different people across the CANSO membership and the world of aviation. This is despite many documents, ICAO guidance programmes of work, and engagement over the years. This means that more work is needed to gain a common understanding, including the consideration of a simplified minimum viable approach.

SWIM adoption by air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and other aviation stakeholders has not been as accelerated as was initially anticipated in the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) Doc 9750. After initially being identified as a Block 1 initiative in the fourth and fifth editions of the GANP, the current sixth edition reflects the movement of SWIM to Blocks 2 and 3, putting timeframes at 2025 and beyond.

SWIM is vital for the exchange of information between ANSPs and aviation stakeholders and is a fundamental enabler for the creation of applications and services, enabling global interoperability. Functional services in the GANP cannot be implemented without SWIM. Despite this, there continues to be misunderstandings as to what SWIM is, and a lack of prioritisation.

This white paper:

• Describes the latest research and development at a high level
• Covers SWIM implementation examples from the United States, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America and Caribbean regions
• Aggregates the benefits, challenges and feedback from the examples
• Offers practical recommendations for accelerating SWIM implementation