# AIS Introduction (Annex 15): Definition, State Responsibilities, and Service Availability

> Understand AIS purpose under Annex 15, including State obligations to collect, publish, and distribute aeronautical information and maintain service availability.

- **Subject:** 010 — Air Law
- **Section:** 010-08 — Aeronautical Information Service (AIS)
- **Topic code:** 010-08-01
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-03-27
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/air-law/aeronautical-information-service-ais/introduction/

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## Definition and Object (Annex 15)
The **Aeronautical Information Service (AIS)** is the service established to provide aeronautical data and aeronautical information necessary for the:
*   **Safety**.
*   **Regularity**.
*   **Efficiency** of international air navigation.

## State Responsibilities (Annex 15, Chap 3)
Each Contracting State is responsible for:
1.  Providing an AIS itself.
2.  Agreeing with another State to provide a joint service.
3.  Delegating the authority to a non-governmental agency (provided standards are met).

The AIS must receive, collate, edit, format, publish, and distribute information concerning **the entire territory of the State** and areas where it is responsible for air traffic services (e.g., high seas).

## Service Availability
*   If not a 24-hour service, it must be available during the entire period an aircraft is in flight in its area of responsibility, plus **2 hours before and after**.

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Free study notes from pilotsyllabus.com. Not a substitute for training at an approved ATO.