BIA digitises air traffic control and radar operations

Thursday, 23 November 2023 00:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) invests Rs. 1.2 b to set up cutting-edge system
Digital Air Traffic Management System facilitates real-time distribution of critical data to relevant nodes

The primary air traffic control tower and the RADA operations centre at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have commenced operations fully utilising digital technology.

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., invested around Rs. 1.2 billion to establish the cutting-edge system. These developments constitute essential elements of the continuous modernisation efforts aimed at improving Air Traffic Control operations at the airport.

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Siripala de Silva launched the newest Digital Air Traffic Management System on Tuesday.

“In the past, Air Traffic Controllers manually recorded information related to departing and arriving aircraft, a procedure coordinated between the Air Traffic Control Tower and the RADA Centre,” the Minister said.

The latest Digital Air Traffic Management System facilitates the real-time distribution of critical data to relevant nodes.

The new system expedites and optimises all air navigation services within Sri Lankan airspace, allowing for an increased volume of aircraft.

Unlike its predecessor, the new system showcases superior technological capabilities.

The latest technology available at the airport enables the capture of extensive data straight from the aircraft cockpit, whilst the previous system could only measure an aircraft’s cruising altitude, location, and airspeed.

This breakthrough results in a 100% increase in data accuracy, especially regarding aeroplane safety.