Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) has awarded the contract to develop, install and maintain the Remote Towers at Schiphol-East to Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions (SDATS). Starting at the end of 2021, LVNL will provide tower control and approaching air traffic control for Groningen Airport Eelde and Maastricht Aachen Airport from Schiphol-East. This is made possible by using innovative Remote Tower technology, a concept where a tower controller at a different location has a camera view of an airport site and the nearby airspace. The approaching air traffic control activities are carried out from radar positioning.
LVNL is looking forward to further developing the Remote Tower technology together with SDATS and to introducing it into use in the Netherlands. Hans-Peter Spies, General Manager of the Regional Unit at LVNL, explains: “SDATS has proven itself capable of delivering a solid Remote Tower technology. The SDATS approach distinguishes itself in its attention to the switch from the current way of handling traffic to handling it with a Remote Tower. SDATS will support us in the further development of the system, safety analyses, and training courses for air traffic controllers. In this way, the transition to working with the Remote Tower technology will be carefully tested and prepared. We also see Remote Tower as a further step towards an increased digitalization of ATM and a step to integrate new capabilities and services for our customers.”
“We are proud to be trusted by LVNL to deliver digital towers for their future air traffic control infrastructure. This contract will be the first to cover a country wide implementation. With our second generation of Digital Towers the Netherlands will possess new world class capabilities. We see LVNL as a perfect partner to further enhance our concept in the coming decade”, says Per Ahl, CEO of Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions.
Spies emphasizes safety: “Of course, air traffic management based on this new technology will comply with all safety regulations. And before implementation, it will also need to obtain approval from the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). We are also in close consultation with our partners, including the airports, KLM Aviation School, airport-bound companies and recreational aviation in the Groningen and Maastricht regions.”
Collaboration with SDATS begins in January 2020. From the end of 2021 LVNL will provide tower control and approaching air traffic control for Groningen Airport Eelde and Maastricht Aachen Airport from Schiphol.
(Per Ahl, CEO SDATS, Marlou Banning, CFO LVNL)