Article

Remote towers - the Skeyes DiTo project

Johan Decuyper

Today’s air traffic controllers, sitting in their physical control towers scanning the horizon with the naked eye and binoculars, are an iconic and essential part of every airport worldwide. But for Johan Decuyper, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Belgian air navigation service provider (ANSP) skeyes, it is clear that this could become a thing of the past as the industry makes way for digital systems equipped with ground radar and high-performance cameras with infrared capabilities.

skeyes aims to gradually equip all Belgian airports with digital towers to make air navigation services safer, more efficient, flexible and resilient.

"Thanks to advanced technological innovations, future management of air traffic will increasingly take place remotely,” Johan Decuyper says. “With the ground-breaking new control centre in Namur, Belgium, from which the regional airports of Charleroi and Liège will be guided by the end of 2026, and the commissioning of the Remote Tower Development Centre in March 2024 at the site in Steenokkerzeel, skeyes has taken a significant step forward in this digital transformation."

skeyes is currently rolling out ambitious plans for two medium-sized regional airports whose air traffic is largely complementary and will be controlled from a remote location. Although both airports are located 75km apart, they will be only a few steps away from each other in the control centre. Charleroi is a rapidly growing airport primarily focused on passenger flights, while Liège is one of Europe’s top 10 largest cargo airports. Charleroi operates mainly at full capacity during the day, while Liège experiences traffic peaks primarily at night.

Increasing numbers of airports are opting for this approach, and it is no longer just airports with low traffic intensity. There are many reasons for this, including economic, safety and flexibility. It is only a matter of time before the technology is so advanced that it is ready for major airports like Brussels Airport, managed by skeyes.

skeyes' approach is notable for its two-step rollout strategy; firstly perfecting the system at the Remote Tower Development Centre in Brussels while the new facility in Namur is still under construction. The setup in Steenokkerzeel closely resembles that of Namur, enabling skeyes to validate, develop and test the system effectively. Simultaneously, skeyes supports its air traffic controllers, meteorologists and technicians in transitioning to the new environment, even before they move into the new building. This method is proving successful, Decuyper says, as skeyes aims for a 2026 launch. After the launch in Namur, the centre will focus on ergonomic and technological enhancements, team training and accelerating progress on its Flanders project.

According to Johan Decuyper: "In 2016, skeyes together with SOWAER, the manager of airports in Wallonia, were looking for solutions to ensure more operational continuity in air traffic control if the main tower at Liège or Charleroi airports were to fail due to technical issues or other problems. Building two extra contingency towers was an option, but costly. Digital towers were quickly considered. Initially, they were seen as a contingency solution, but as the possibilities unfolded, it became clear that we should pursue this as a solution for the main towers."

DTC Steenokkerzeel

Today, the face of air traffic control is changing profoundly. skeyes drew inspiration for centralised digital control towers from Sweden, where Saab, with the Swedish air traffic service LFV, developed the world's first digital tower. Originally conceived as a smart, safe and sustainable solution for airports with very low traffic density, remote-controlled towers are now becoming a reality at airports with significantly higher traffic volumes.

"Remote-controlled towers are now becoming a reality at airports with significantly higher traffic volumes."

Digital towers offer a tremendous improvement in flexibility and efficiency. They enable skeyes to manage multiple airports from a central location, which will eventually lead to more efficiency. Moreover, in addition to air traffic controllers, it will also serve as the base from which the ANSP’s technicians and meteorologists will support both airports.

"Air traffic controllers in the new Remote Towers Centres use 360° panoramic images of each controlled airport, provided by high-resolution daylight and infrared cameras,” Decuyper explains. “These cameras ensure optimal visibility, even in poor weather conditions. Augmented reality technology is used to display additional information about aircraft and vehicles in real-time. It is obvious that artificial intelligence (AI) will further expand these capabilities in the future, and we are closely monitoring these developments. For instance, AI could be vital for drone detection, becoming increasingly important as drone usage rises. It can help identify and track drones effectively.”

The advanced technological solutions and tools surpass those of conventional towers, such as improved visualisation, data analysis and integration of various systems. Aviation has always innovated and made tremendous leaps to become the global industry it is today, with over 10 million flights per year in Europe alone. To adequately respond to this continuous growth, which was temporarily paused by the COVID-19 pandemic, skeyes is constantly seeking ways to improve and innovate its services. Implementing digital towers is a crucial part of skeyes's strategy to prepare air traffic control for future challenges.

Hand-over ceremony

Safety also requires investments. skeyes found a reliable partner in airports operator SOWAER, which is building a state-of-the-art facility for its new headquarters, which will also house skeyes’ control centre.

"Developing a digital tower project presents various challenges due to the complexity and crucial role these systems play in managing and coordinating diverse operations,” says Johan Decuyper. “Digital towers heavily rely on real-time data from sources such as sensors, IoT devices, radar systems and databases. Ensuring seamless integration and compatibility among these data streams poses a significant technical challenge.”

The precision and reliability of the data fed into digital towers are essential for making well- informed decisions. Issues like data latency, incomplete datasets, or inaccuracies can diminish the effectiveness of digital tower operations.

"Implementing digital towers is a crucial part of skeyes’ strategy to prepare air traffic control for future challenges."

Ensuring continuous operation and resilience against disruptions such as power outages or network failures is crucial. “We've made network robustness a top priority,” he adds. “In our digital tower concept, every system – whether it's the wide area network (WAN) data network, power supply, or communication systems – has at least one backup. Every detail has been meticulously conceived. As an additional safety net, the existing towers will be maintained for years, ready to deploy in an emergency. This strategy guarantees that we can always provide our customers with optimal service."

“With increasing digital connectivity, digital towers also bring cybersecurity risks. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures is critical to protect sensitive data and systems from malicious attacks, data breaches and unauthorised access,” continues Johan Decuyper. “Additionally, the human aspect plays a vital role. While younger generations familiar with game consoles and joysticks might adapt quickly, experienced air traffic controllers may experience significant changes. Although the lack of physical proximity to the aircraft could seem like a drawback, this is unlikely to be an issue for the new generation of technologically adept air traffic controllers. Nonetheless, I am confident that every controller will adapt swiftly to this new environment. This transition represents a substantial change for our staff, and I have the utmost respect for their flexibility and adaptability.”

"First and foremost, our project team must be ready to initiate the transition by first validating the digital solutions and equipment,” according to Decuyper. “The existence of the Remote Tower Development Centre in Steenokkerzeel will certainly help us with this. We don't need to wait for the completion of the building in Namur and the setup of the control centre. Air traffic controllers, technical support and meteorological services can already start gaining expertise with the new system. This allows us to evaluate whether everything works as planned.

Control tower

“On the technical front, we still have the integration of the ground radar system ahead of us. It will be the first time that an Advanced Surface Movement Ground Control System is linked to a digital tower. It will provide us with even greater awareness of what is happening on the ground. If everything goes according to plan, the contractors will deliver the buildings for the RTC Namur to SOWAER before the end of 2025, then Saab can begin setting up the server rooms and control centre.”

The introduction of digital towers brings not only technological advancements but also significant benefits for staff. One major improvement is that air traffic controllers are no longer tied to a single airport; instead, they are licensed to manage multiple airports, which adds more variety to their work. This will create a more dynamic and engaging work environment, enhancing employee satisfaction. In Namur, they will also work in a state-of-the-art building that meets today’s ergonomic standards, improving comfort and well-being. The advanced technical features of the systems give controllers a greater sense of control and confidence in their work. “I am particularly pleased that the initial feedback from air traffic controllers who tested the new technology at the Steenokkerzeel site has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Decuyper. “They have highlighted the increased efficiency and the trust the technology provides in managing complex airport situations.”

"This transition represents a substantial change for our staff, and I have the utmost respect for their flexibility and adaptability."

In the near future, skeyes also plans a remote tower concept for the Flemish regional airports, with an expected commissioning by the end of 2028. skeyes is currently searching for a suitable location in collaboration with the Flemish Region. “Our intention is to manage the airports of Ostend, Kortrijk and Antwerp remotely,” says Decuyper.

“The digitalisation of Zaventem remains an open question for now. However, I believe there is a strong possibility that the current control tower, which is state-of-the-art today, might be the last of its kind at Brussels Airport. I wouldn’t be surprised if, when the time comes to replace the first contingency tower, we also transition to remote management for Belgium’s most complex airport.”

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