Page 40 - ATC Special Bulletin Series - Remote and Digital Towers 2023-01

40 Since their introduction to airports in the mid-19th century, air traffic control towers (ATCTs) have remained vital to the safety and smooth running of airports around the world. With air-to-ground communication in conjunction with the air navigation and surveillance systems ensuring the safe landing of our flights, monitoring of runways and parking of aircraft. Beyond their operational importance, ATCTs have become synonymous with the look and feel of our airports. They are a loved and distinct icon of the airport skyline. If you asked a child – or an adult for that matter – to draw you a picture of an airport, you can bet there’ll be a tower there. AN ICON CHALLENGED As airports seek to expand, digitize and innovate, air traffic operations have remained largely unchanged until a little over a decade ago. That made air traffic management (ATM) a problem for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) who must find ways to improve efficiencies, improve on interoperability and find sustainable ways of working – whether to reduce emissions or meet financial targets. DESIGNING THE FUTURE OF DESIGNING THE FUTURE OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL: EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF NEW SOLUTIONS By Yasudha Sahi, ATM/CNS Systems Lead, NACO, Netherlands Airport Consultants EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF NEW SOLUTIONS | SPECIAL BULLETIN SERIES | 2023 | | © Victor Kroot, Seba Rsk, NACO