New Air Traffic Control Center Opens in Georgia
Georgia has a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) center and a training center with 3D simulators, both of which were opened at Tbilisi International Airport on Friday.
The new ATC building and training center of Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, are in compliance with the highest modern technological standards.
The Ministry of Economy reports that the new ATC Center is equipped with a modern system manufactured by the Spanish Company INDRA, while the S.P.A. sound system is from the Italian Company S.I.T.T.I.
“These systems will make the ATC work much more comfortable and effective,” the Ministry reported. “The new system of INDRA has dual protection, which activates in seconds, imperceptible for air traffic controllers. The new system by INDRA has a third additional protection system - an independent system installed in Kutaisi, which completely excludes delay in the working process.”
Building a new ATC Center and providing for its compliance with modern standards was preconditioned by the unprecedented growth of air traffic in the airspace of Georgia.
“In 2017, the occupancy of the Georgian airspace increased by 13% compared to the previous year and, according to the forecast of EuroControl, the growth will be maintained in the following years,” the ministry noted, adding that the new modern ATC will significantly increase flight safety and facilitate the further development of the ATC industry in Georgia.
The new training center is equipped with a modern 3D ATC simulator by INDRA, which allows the air traffic controllers to enjoy practical trainings.
By introducing the new system by INDRA, Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd will have the opportunity to change the existing two-sector level to a three-sector level, further increasing the capacity of the airspace of Georgia.
“Activating the ‘upper sector,’ where aircraft of transit or distant routes fly, will also be possible, which is another innovation for Georgian aviation. The new system from INDRA will also allow Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd to decrease the interval between airplanes from 10 to 5 miles in the air, while the interval in the runway zone will be decreased to 2.5-3 miles,” the ministry added.
The opening ceremony was attended by Georgia’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the First Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Dimitry Kumsishvili, the Regional Director of the European and North Atlantic Office of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Luis Fonseca de Almeida, the EuroControl Director General, Eamonn Brennan, Director General of Spanish Company INDRA, Gonzalo Gavin, and high officials representing the civil aviation sector and other state agencies.
PM Kvirikashvili stated that the opening of the two buildings is a step forward towards enhancing the level of Georgia's aviation safety and developing the aviation industry, which is directly tied to the development of the country's aviation, tourism, and economy in general.
“Georgian Air Navigation has enough potential to provide airlines with high-standard, safe, and effective services, this way establishing ties with more airlines as a partner with a safe airspace, efficient infrastructure, and highly qualified human resources,” he stated.
Georgia’s First Vice-Premier and the Minister of Economy, Dimitry Kumsishvili, said that 32 million GEL had been invested in the project.
“The opening of a new training center is important for Georgia. Now, we have a 3D simulator that enables us to train the air traffic controllers which we spent significant resources on. At the same time, we will be able to make this training center of regional importance and invite air traffic controllers from other countries to improve their qualification and knowledge,” he stated.
By Thea Morrison