The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is set to run a pilot project that will in all likelihood see Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar as the first to do away with manned towers for providing Air Traffic Control (ATC) services at their airports.
As part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between AAI and SAAB India, the airports would run a pilot deployment of a Remote ATC Tower system where air traffic controllers and the control tower would be replaced by a bank of 16 high-definition, remotely operated, infrared cameras.
SAAB India, which is into defence and aviation, will lead the pilot project that is expected to take a year before it becomes operational. The system is projected as a measure that can help AAI save costs.
State-owned AAI, which manages more than 120 airports, is expected to operationalise more airfields in the coming months, especially with new routes being added under the regional connectivity scheme.
Ola Rignell, chairman and managing director, Saab India Technologies Pvt. Ltd. told The Hindu , that the firm’s technology would replace the traditional air traffic controller, who sits in the tower.
The remote ATC works through the network of high-definition, infrared cameras.
“This will give a 360-degree view of the airport. These cameras have both vision plus infrared video recording. This actually enhances the detection rate and safety. All one needs is connectivity to get a remote ATC system activated. So, a controller sitting in Delhi can be handling an airport in Kerala,” Mr. Rignell explained. The controller would be able to remotely control an airport’s cameras, lighting, radio etc. Remote ATC towers are at present being used at several airports including in Sweden and the U.K. In London City, the remote tower concept was brought in due to space limitations.
