LVNL is developing a new air traffic control system that will enable our air traffic controllers to continue to manage air traffic safely, efficiently and sustainably through Dutch airspace in the coming decades.
The current air traffic control system (AAA) has been safe and reliable for almost thirty years, but is approaching the end of its service life and is therefore due for replacement. The introduction of the new air traffic control system will ensure the continuity of service and align LVNL with developments in the field of European legislation and regulations for the modernisation of European airspace.
In this way, LVNL is contributing to a more sustainable and innovative approach to European airspace management, with a view to making aviation safer and more efficient for passengers in all aspects in the future.
The development of the iTEC-based Centre Automation System, or iCAS for short, is well underway.
Once this system is fully operational, it will be continuously developed over the years. A major upgrade involves the implementation of iTEC SkyNex. As part of the iTEC alliance, a partnership of air traffic control organisations in eight countries, LVNL is participating in the development of this system. The starting point is to jointly use the same basic system in the future. This allows us to split the development costs. The new system is one of the elements that will enable flight route optimisation in the future, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by airlines.
In its current planning, LVNL expects iCAS to be fully operational in the period 2027–2028. Until then, LVNL will continue to ensure the safe guidance of air traffic every day with the current air traffic control system.
