CAAC sets up three-tier system for Olympic air traffic control

(BEIJING, July 3) -- The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has established a three-tier air traffic operations command center to ensure China's air traffic operations during the Olympics.

Su Langen, director of the CAAC's Air Traffic Management (ATM) Bureau), will head the new command center, which will oversee five technical work groups at the general level: operations coordination, military and civil aviation coordination, air traffic management technology, equipment guarantee and meteorological services.

The second tier of the command center involves the establishment of regional centers in the northern, northeastern and eastern regions of China, with sub command centers in Tianjin, Qingdao and Qinhuangdao.

On the third tier are the air traffic management officials' group, the Olympic air traffic management control and coordination center and the command system for the command coordination center for regional air traffic management.

According to Su, China's air traffic will be up 30-50 percent during the Olympics.