RuAviation

Belavia, Belarus’s national airline, has started using Russia’s domestic air-to-ground digital communication system, ACARS. The agreement was signed with Infocom-Avia, part of the Azimut Group under the Rostec State Corporation. According to Rostec, this is the first time a foreign carrier has connected to the Russian ACARS system.

The system was developed jointly by Infocom-Avia and Azimut as a domestic alternative to international solutions that left the Russian market due to sanctions. ACARS enables real-time transmission of telemetry, weather updates, operational instructions, and other critical data between aircraft and the airline’s ground operations center.

Infocom-Avia has deployed a network of ground stations along major north-south and east-west air routes and established a dedicated data center in Russia. Leading carriers, including Aeroflot and S7 Airlines, already use the system to monitor their fleets and improve maintenance efficiency.

Belavia reports that flight crews now receive continuous updates on aircraft and component status, weather conditions, and route-specific restrictions. ACARS helps save fuel, enhances situational awareness for both pilots and ground staff, and allows for faster post-landing maintenance planning.

ACARS in Russia: History and SITA Collaboration

ACARS was first introduced to Russian civil aviation by the Swiss company SITA, in cooperation with Aeroflot. Partnership began in 1959 after a decree signed by Anastas Mikoyan, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. By 1999, Aeroflot became the first major Russian airline to use ACARS for air-to-ground communication.

The collaboration, particularly through SITAONAIR, expanded the VHF ground station network from 11 to over 40 sites, ensuring reliable connectivity for Aeroflot’s fleet. In 2023, SITA withdrew from Russia due to escalating international sanctions and new legal restrictions on foreign companies. This accelerated the development of a domestic ACARS system and allowed Russian airlines to build their own infrastructure.

How ACARS Works

ACARS is a digital communication system that transmits short messages between aircraft and ground units, including airline operations centers, air traffic control, and maintenance facilities. The system uses multiple channels: VHF for short and medium-range routes, HF for long-range and remote regions, and SATCOM for oceanic or polar areas.

Onboard, the ACARS Management Unit (MU) generates messages automatically or manually. These messages may include aircraft system readings, takeoff and landing times, and weather information. They are sent through the most suitable channel to the ground server and routed to relevant units.

In Russia, ACARS has become an effective tool for fleet management and operational decision-making. Its infrastructure, historically managed by SITA and now operated domestically, supports near real-time telemetry, technical monitoring, and maintenance coordination. Belavia’s connection extends the system’s geographic reach and demonstrates the maturity of Russia’s digital aviation communication capabilities.

By January 1, 2025, roughly two-thirds of Russia’s civil aircraft fleet are expected to exchange data via the domestic ACARS system. Plans are in place to expand coverage and increase the number of connected operators, further supporting flight safety and operational efficiency.