First up this week, the board of directors of ENAIRE approved a file in open procedure (according to Royal Decree-Law 3/2020) for the transfer and supplies of the automated air control systems (SACTA) and integrated digital voice (COMETA), in the new technical building of the Air Control Center of Madrid, for an estimated bid value (taxes excluded) of €9,512,814.00. This action is included in the Technological Modernization Plan of the entity's strategic plan.
Next, CANSO has announced a major revision to the Standard of Excellence (SoE) in Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), in partnership with EURCONTROL. The SoE is a gold standard for ANSPs to help them continuously improve their SMS. The CANSO Safety Standing Committee (SSC) oversees CANSO’s Safety Programme aims to continually improve safety management and culture among CANSO members and provide global leadership on safety management issues. CANSO’s Safety Programme helps ANSPs improve safety by offering guidance on safety management systems, best practices, and benchmarking.
In other news, the planning application for the expansion of Luton Airport has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. Luton Rising, Luton Council’s company that owns the airport, submitted the development consent order (DCO) application yesterday. The DCO application for a second terminal at the airport was originally due to be submitted by the end of 2022, but this was pushed back to 2023.
Finally, the Dutch Air Navigation Service Provider, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), has successfully deployed Intelligent Approach – the world’s only time-based arrival spacing (TBS) tool – at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Developed by NATS and Leidos UK, Intelligent Approach dynamically calculates the optimum time interval between arrivals based on live weather data and the aircraft type. This is then translated into a graphical marker on a controller’s radar screen. This helps improve an airport’s runway throughput in all weather conditions, but is especially effective during strong headwinds when separating aircraft by traditional fixed distances results in a reduced landing rate and knock-on delays.
ANSP news
- ENAIRE implements the AMBAR Project for the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport - Since February 23, ENAIRE has been implementing the AMBAR project for restructuring the airspace associated with the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
- ENAIRE will invest 9.5 million euros in transferring and virtualizing air control systems supported by Voice over IP - The Board of Directors of ENAIRE has approved a file in open procedure for the transfer and supplies of the automated air control systems (SACTA) and integrated digital voice, in the new technical building of the Air Control Center of Madrid.
- ATCO Virtual Mobility: A promising solution to the challenges of air traffic management capacity in Europe - Air Traffic Management capacity shortage is a major challenge in Europe that is caused by a number of factors such as technical system constraints, airspace structures, airspace reservations, and ATCO shortage. Although efforts have been made to improve technical systems and better coordinate airspace use, ATCO shortage remains a significant challenge. To modernise the European ATM system, it is crucial to address the human and organisational aspects.
- Standard of Excellence in Safety Management Systems revised - CANSO is proud to announce a major revision to the Standard of Excellence in Safety Management Systems for Air Navigation Service Providers, in partnership with EURCONTROL. The SoE is a gold standard for ANSPs to help them continuously improve their SMS.
- FABCE ANSPs move to harmonise U-space plans and procedures - FAB CE ANSPs within the UAS traffic management Coordination Group met in Zagreb at the end of 2022 to discuss harmonised approaches in response to the European Union Regulation establishing U-space areas within the EU, which came into force on January 26, 2023.
- Aireon, GCAA to Explore Use of ADS-B to Improve Safety, Efficiency in UAE Airspace - Aireon has signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates to study the applications of Aireon’s data for real-time surveillance, aviation safety, air navigation capacity and efficiency and aviation security, as well as in the promotion of aviation development, sustainability and innovation.
Airports news
- Planning application submitted for Luton Airport expansion - British Aviation Group - Consent is being sought for the expansion of London Luton Airport from its current permitted cap of 18M passengers per year to 32M. This includes mainly: new terminal capacity, earthworks to create an extension to the current airfield platform, new airside and landside facilities, enhancement of the surface access network, extension of the Luton Dart which carried its first passengers last week.
- Continuous Descent Approach achievement in Keflavík airport - Isavia - Isavia ANS has been working on implementing Continuous Descent Approach for Keflavík airport for the last few years by implementing standard arrival routes based on GNSS and procedures for air traffic controllers aiming on saving fuel, less CO2 emission and reducing noise in the vicinity of the airport.
- New arrivals technology to cut delays, emissions, and noise at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol - NATS - The Dutch Air Navigation Service Provider has successfully deployed Intelligent Approach – the world’s only time-based arrival spacing (TBS) tool – at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Market news
- Systems Interface install four ATIS Systems at airports in Central Asia - Systems Interface, based in the United Kingdom, has completed a Turnkey contract to supply, install and commission four ATIS systems at four airports in a central Asian state.
- SMATSA chooses Egis to support the delivery of its Strategy and Business Plan - Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services has appointed Egis to deliver strategic business planning guidance for the next 10-years which is a vital period in aviation as it ‘restarts’ after recovering from the pandemic. The strategy will be informed by the latest industry developments, SMATSA’s capabilities and the current economic environment.
- CAAi completes State Safety Programme workshops in Kyrgyzstan - CAA International has completed a weeklong programme of interviews and industry engagement workshops in Bishkek to support the implementation of a revised State Safety Programme in Kyrgyzstan.
- Broward College Awards Virtual and Mixed Reality ATC Simulation Contract to Adacel - Adacel Technologies announced a new contract award from Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Context information
- A6 Alliance and the EUROCONTROL Network Manager discuss aviation challenges - The EUROCONTROL Network Manager and the CEOs of the A6 Alliance have met to discuss the challenges with accommodating the expected surge in air traffic in Summer 2023 and how the key stakeholders can come together to agree, commit, and deliver on a common plan this year. Traffic is anticipated to increase by approximately 15% on 2022 with continued volatility across the network as the overall level of airspace available has greatly reduced compared to before the pandemic.
- Schools Nationwide Receive $10 Million in FAA Grants to Develop the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals - FAA - Twenty-three schools will receive $10 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration to help attract and train students for careers as pilots and aviation maintenance technicians.
Research and innovation
- UK Civil Aviation Authority launches funding to help deliver airspace modernisation - The UK Civil Aviation Authority has today launched its next round of funding to help support airspace modernisation projects across the United Kingdom.
- DataBeacon announces a market-ready data platform for ATM operations - Leveraging years of work data science research projects, machine learning and data engineering experience in the field of aviation, DataBeacon announces a release-candidate for its market-ready data platform for air traffic management operations, named Victor5.
- DLR’s Digital Controller - Aviation is required to find measures against the climate change, rising traffic volumes and shortages of professional staff. Great potential for solutions and counteractions lies within high levels of automation. DLR’s research in the field of air traffic control aims to reveal and evaluate these potentials.
