First up, in news from the UK, we're hearing that Gatwick has submitted an application to bring its North Runway into routine use. The airport says it will also create around 14,000 new jobs and inject £1 billion into the region’s economy every year. The plan aims to leverage the airport’s existing infrastructure to unlock capacity and improve the airport's resilience.
Next, from Africa, we're hearing that Aireon and Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) are forging a cooperative agreement to advance space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) products and services in the continent. ATNS and Aireon will work to provide operational case studies on ADS-B for countries in the Southern Africa region, as well as explore regional air traffic flow management (ATFM) opportunities.
In news from Spain, ENAIRE has placed a new cutting-edge radar in Taborno, Tenerife. This location provides coverage in both the Terminal Control Area and Control Zones in the Canary Islands Region, meaning the radar can provide coverage to aircraft taking off from and landing at all Canary Islands airports.
And last but not least, we have another episode of our podcast Radar Contact for you. This week, we sit down with Sebastiaan de Stigter of LVNL to discuss runway capacity and time-based separation.
ANSP news
- ENAIRE brings a new radar online in Taborno, Tenerife - Yesterday, ENAIRE, Spain's air navigation service provider, placed into service a new cutting-edge radar in Taborno, Tenerife, situated in a prime location that provides coverage and surveillance for flights in both the Terminal Control Area and Control Zones in the Canary Islands Region.
- Air services agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Belarus - The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority, signed an air services agreement with the Republic of Belarus, on July 25, 2023, at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Eng. Nayef bin Ali bin Hamad Al-Abri - Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, and from the Belarusian side Mr. / Lagor Golub - Director of the Aviation Department at the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Belarus.
- South Africa’s ATNS, Aireon to Collaborate on ADS-B Advancement in Africa - Aviation industry leaders Aireon and Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa have strengthened their commitment to collaboration, forging a cooperative agreement to advance space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) products and services in the African continent.
Airports news
- Gatwick submits application to bring North Runway into routine use – Airport World - London Gatwick today submitted an application known as a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the UK’s Planning Inspectorate (PINS), outlining its ambition to bring the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use alongside its Main Runway.
- Summer gets off to great start at Heathrow - Results for the six months ended 30 June 2023 - Our teams welcomed 37 million passengers in the first half, which included some of the busiest days on record. We are giving great passenger service, with almost all passengers waiting less than five minutes at security as the summer peak gets underway. Overall passenger numbers still remain consistently below pre-pandemic levels, and the cost of living crisis is a material headwind for second-half demand. We have also now agreed on a fair two-year pay deal for all frontline colleagues.
Market news
- Spire Global Awarded 16 Million EUR ESA Contract to Design and Demonstrate Satellite-Based Aviation Surveillance System - The European Space Agency has awarded Spire a 16 million EUR contract for the EURIALO project, which will develop the preliminary design and demonstrator for a global space-based independent aircraft surveillance system. The project framework is part of ESA’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) in its Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.
- EUROCONTROL and FREQUENTIS continue to demonstrate trusted partnership - Frequentis Comsoft to provide additional support for EUROCONTROL’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) Surveillance Tracker and Server (ARTAS).
- Indra strengthens its leadership to turn the Digital European Sky into the world’s most efficient and sustainable with 21 major SESAR innovation projects - Indra is renewing its commitment to the deployment of technologies that will make the European airspace the most efficient and sustainable on the planet, strengthening air safety, cutting flight times and reducing emissions. The company has been selected to work on 21 major research and innovation (R&I) projects within the framework of the SESAR 3 JU’s Digital European Sky program, leading four of them, in which it will develop cutting-edge technologies to transform the way we fly in Europe, thereby improving passenger comfort and airline services. The overall budget for all of them exceeds €263 million.
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport enhances digital journey in partnership with ADB SAFEGATE - Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), a leader in innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) best practices in China, has chosen ADB SAFEGATE’s advanced technologies to improve daily operations. SHA will use ADB SAFEGATE AI-powered solutions coupled with ML algorithms to improve apron efficiency, stand usage and passenger experience at reduced operational costs.
- IDS Airnav signed contract with Taiwan air navigation and weather services - IDS AirNav has signed a contract with the air navigation service provider of Taiwan, ANWS (Air Navigation and Weather Services). The contract, with a duration of 5 years, has a total value of 5 million euro.
- Successful training for Algeria on the new AMHS ground-to-ground telecommunications standard - France Aviation Civile Services proposed an “AMHS Operation” training course for operators. This training is based on both a theoretical and an operational part. This enables operators to master international requirements and advanced AMHS functions. They are put into operational situations, with possible events in operation and practical cases of AMHS implementation, in France and abroad.
Context information
- Heathrow air traffic control’s secret ingredient - NATS Blog - Every day is an incredible feat of logistical and operational planning and delivery; from the check-in teams to the ground handlers and the security staff. Nowhere is that clearer than in the air traffic control team, but at Heathrow we do have one added secret ingredient: HOEC, the Heathrow Operational Efficiency Cell.
- Improving Air Traffic Control for a Greener Future: A Path to Lowering Carbon Emissions - This blog post delves into how a comprehensive understanding of ATC can empower pilots and air traffic controllers to choose optimal flying routes, ultimately leading to lower carbon emissions and a greener aviation sector.
Reports and data
- Highlands and Islands Airports Limited sees 10.4% increase in passenger numbers in Q1 of 2023/24 – Highlands and Islands Airports Limited - Highlands and Islands Airports Limited reports 10.4% increase in passenger numbers in first quarter of 2023/24 financial year
Research and innovation
- Fewer delays and less noise nuisance at and near airports - NLR News - It’s far from unknown for peak crowding at airports to hit the headlines. And it’s not only the passengers who are stuck in queues: it’s busy in the air too. That’s why the ITARO project has bundled various solutions together to reduce the delays for flights, including gains that can be made in terms of noise nuisance and emissions.
UAV and UTM
- Altitude Angel Begins Rolling Out Purpose-Built Low-Altitude Aviation Surveillance Network - Altitude Angel Begins roll out of Low-Altitude Aviation Surveillance Network, includes ADS-B, Mode S and SDR capabilities plus ability to detect existing and future ‘Remote ID’ broadcasts.
