Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network
worldwide system of aeronautical fixed circuits
The Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN) is a worldwide system of aeronautical fixed circuits provided, as part of the Aeronautical Fixed Service, for the exchange of messages and/or digital data between aeronautical fixed stations having the same or compatible communications characteristics. AFTN comprises aviation entities including: ANS (Air Navigation Services) providers, aviation service providers, airport authorities and government agencies, to name a few. It exchanges vital information for aircraft operations such as distress messages, urgency messages, flight safety messages, meteorological messages, flight regularity messages and aeronautical administrative messages.
Communications infrastructure
The original AFTN infrastructure consisted of landline teleprinter links between the major centers. Some long distance and international links were based on duplex radioteletype transmissions and leased lines. When it upgraded to CIDIN (Common ICAO Data Interchange Network), it was upgraded to X.25 links at much higher data rates. As the Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) comes online over the next decade, it will switch to X.400 links, with either dedicated lines or tunneled through IP.
IWXXM messages are lengthy and contain characters not supported by AFTN, so cannot use AFTN equipment. IWXXM requires the use of AMHS for international exchange.
AFTN Station address format
An AFTN address is an eight-letter-group composed of a four-letter ICAO Location Indicator plus a three-letter-group identifying an organization or service addressed and an additional letter.
The additional letter represents a department, division or process within the organization/function addressed.
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