Regulations and Government
FAA Puts Final ATOP in Place
Aircraft flying over the Arctic Ocean can take more direct routes, save fuel and maintain schedules with activation of the FAA’s final Advanced Technologie

Aircraft flying over the Arctic Ocean can take more direct routes, save fuel and maintain schedules with activation of the FAA’s final Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP) system at the Alaska Air Route Traffic Control Center.
ATOP has already been deployed at the agency’s New York center and Oakland, Calif., center, providing air traffic service over the Atlantic and Pacific regions.

The technology enables controllers to safely separate aircraft in areas outside radar coverage or direct radio communication. It detects conflicts between aircraft and provides satellite datalink communication and position information to air traffic controllers.