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For over 20 years the airlines have used data link to augment the voice communications for Airline Operational Communications (AOC) and Airline Passenger Correspondence (APC), that todays standard aircraft delivered for the factory includes an operational data link system. Due to the acceptance by the Airline Flight Crews and their daily use of the digital communications network, the Airlines requested that the FAA consider the data link network to provide Air Traffic Control informational messages. In 1990, the FAA accepted this request which led to the development of the PreDeparture Clearance and Digital ATIS message projects. Both of these products are messages used by the Pilot for planning and guidance information.

To move passengers and cargo from one airport to another requires a large amount of coordination and the transfer of information between support groups. The commercial airlines have automated the transfer of information from voice and paper documents to the use of digital data and have been successful in improving the coordination necessary to provide the highest degree of service to our passengers. This paper takes you on two separate flight segments that identify the old and new process of information transfer. The 2 segments also identifies the need for the FAA Air Traffic System to use the data link process for better coordination of aircraft traffic movement. Both the airline and FAA data link processes are being designed around the concept of the Aeronautical Communications Network (ATN) which will provide data connectivity between all coordinators and provide for a more efficient system to move passengers and cargo between airports.