Global Transition to ADS-B

Twelve countries have added new rules that mandate ADS-B for aircraft operating within specific regions, classes of airspace or airways. In some countries, these rules go as far as to require the aircraft operator to obtain approval from their State Registry to access the ADS-B airspace.

Other regulations create a specific benefit to operators that have equipped voluntarily. The regions where ADS-B are mandated will continue to expand, and operators should monitor for updates from their local regulatory authority.

What is ADS-B?

ADS-B replaces or supplements radar surveillance of aircraft. Aircraft equipped with an ADS-B transmitter use GPS technology to locate the position of the aircraft and then transmits identification, position, altitude and velocity information in real time. Air traffic controllers intercept this flight and traffic information services broadcast data and are able to position and separate aircraft with improved precision and timing.

ADS-B relies on a high-integrity GPS navigation source and a data link (ADS-B unit). There are several types of certified ADS-B data links, but the most common ones operate at 1090 MHz – essentially a modified Mode S transponder – or 978 MHz.

This technology consists of "ADS-B Out" and "ADS-B In." ADS-B Out is the transmission of data; ADS-B In is the reception of this information. All aircraft equipped with ADS-B can transmit data, but not all are capable of also receiving data.

Benefits of ADS-B

Improved situational awareness
Improved visibility for air traffic controller and flight crew
Increased safety due to more accurate position reporting
Greater efficiencies in handling aircraft in congested airspace
Additional benefits to aircraft with ADS-B In capabilities:
In-cockpit traffic information from other aircraft equipped with ADS-B
In-cockpit weather information using Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) ADS-B equipment
In-cockpit terrain data
In-cockpit flight information

Australia & Fiji

Australia: As of June 6, 2020, ADS-B is mandatory for all IFR flights above and below FL290 operating over continental Australia. Currently, ADS-B is required for all flights operating at or above FL290 over the continent, the Arafura Sea, the Great Australian Bight, and the Bass Strait. All Australian registered aircraft operating in Classes A, B, C or E also require ADS-B.
Airservices Australia

Fiji: ADS-B equipage is mandatory for aircraft registered in Fiji that are operating in controlled airspace.
Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji

Canada, US & Mexico

Canada: As of August 10, 2023, aircraft flying in Class A airspace will need to be suitably equipped. Starting May 16, 2024, aircraft flying in Class B airspace will need to be suitably equipped.
NavCanada - ADS-B Requirements

US: As of December 31, 2019, ADS-B is mandatory for flights operating over the continental US within airspace at or above FL180. ADS-B in classes B, C and E will be required above FL100, but excludes airspace from 2,500 ft AGL and below.
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

Mexico: As of 01 January 2022, Mexico has mandated the use of 1090-MHz Mode S squitter transponders.
Circular Obligatoria

China, Hong Kong & Thailand

China: Effective Dec. 12, 2013: All aircraft operating at or above FL290 on airways L642 and M771 require ADS-B capabilities while within the Sanya Flight Information Region (FIR).
Civil Aviation Administration of China

Hong Kong: ADS-B is currently mandatory for all flights at or above FL290 on airways L642 and M771. There is no available information on future mandate changes to ADS-B requirements for Hong Kong at this time.
Civil Aviation Authority of Hong Kong

Thailand: Thailand is implementing ADS-B in April 2024 – it does not currently look like participation is mandatory at this time.
Here is Thailand’s CAA notification on the matter:

https://ais.caat.or.th/file/post/747/VT-eAIC-24-02-en-GB.pdf

Europe & Russia

Europe: As of June 7, 2020, ADS-B is mandatory for IFR flights with MTOW of 5700 kg or greater, and/or maximum cruising TAS greater than 250 kts. Currently, ADS-B is required for all aircraft with certificates of airworthiness dated on or after January 8, 2015, and IFR flights that meet the same criteria described above.
EC No 1207/2011 | EC No 1028/2014

Russia: Currently does not have ADS-B requirements

Brazil & Curaçao

Brazil: ADS-B still not required in Brazil and there is no date yet. They will advise if anything changes.

Curaçao: ADS-B transition has started, but will be fully implemented in 3 phases
Air Navigation Service Provider

Iceland & Sweden

Iceland: Isavia continues to expand its network of ADS-B ground stations and is providing services to aircraft equipped with ADS-B.
Isavia

Sweden: LFV Aviation Consulting of Sweden has already implemented an ADS-B network based on VHF Data Link (VDL) Mode 4 technology.
CLFV Aviation Consulting

Indonesia & Singapore

Indonesia: As of January 1, 2018, ADS-B is mandatory for all flights within Jakarta and Ujung Pandang FIRs at and above FL290. Currently, there are no mandatory ADS-B requirements.

Singapore: Effective from 27 January 2022, ADS-B Out Exclusive Airspace will be implemented from FL290 and above on ATS routes L517, L625, L649, M758, M767, M768, M772 and N884, within airspace bounded by 073605N 1090045E, 103000N 1140000E, 082500N 1163000E, 032833N 1100532E, 031802N 1093725E, 025514N 1074108E, 033341N 1065534E, 040713N 1063543E and 073605N 1090045E.
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

Taiwan & Vietnam

Taiwan: As of December 31, 2019 ADS-B is mandatory for aircraft operating in Taipei FIR at or above FL290. Currently, two airways require ADS-B compliance, though all other airspace over FL290 is open to non-ADS-B compliant aircraft.
Civil Aeronautics Administration of Taiwan

Vietnam: ADS-B is mandatory for all operations at or above FL 290 on airways L625, L628, L642, M765, M768, M771, N500 and N892. For more information see AIP SUP 09/13-1.

United Arab Emirates & Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates has implemented a network of ADS-B ground stations.

UAE General Civil Aviation Authority

For Saudi Arabia, the ADS-B mandate comes into effect Jan 1, 2023. It will be required in class A, E, and B/C/D. Click here to learn more (“GACAR 91.477 (b)(1)(vi)” - Specifically, the middle of page 155 on the PDF).

New Zealand

From January 1, 2023, ADS-B is required and will apply from the surface up. Click here to learn more.

Other Resources

Effective Dec. 12, 2013: All aircraft operating at or above FL290 on airways L625, L628, L642, M765, M768, M771, N500 and N892 require ADS-B capabilities while within the Ho Chi Minh FIR.

International Civil Aviation Organization