23 Norwegian airports are to be remotely operated with Indra’s air traffic control system from Avinor’s Remote Tower Centre. The centre is the largest of its kind in the world, and new airports have been gradually added since its opening in 2022.
A prerequisite for the extension is that each operator can operate up to three airports from the same working position, enabled by Indra’s InNOVA air traffic control system.
Avinor’s Remote Tower Centre (RTC) in Bodø, Norway, is owned and operated by Avinor, the Norwegian air navigation service provider. Currently, the centre manages 11 regional airports, a number set to grow to 15 by March 2025 with the completion of the first phase of Avinor’s remote tower program. After this, an additional seven new airports will be added. The contract also includes an installation at the new Bodø airport that is under construction.
Avinor’s RTC has 16 working positions, so the project extension undertakes the implementation of multiple remote tower operations, which it means that each operator will be able to control up to three airports from the same working position. They use Indra’s InNOVA air traffic control system which provides a single and fully integrated display with all required air traffic and airport control functions, including air traffic situation display, electronic flight strips and meteorological information. A supervisor will oversee the planning and allocate airports to the different working positions.
Multiple remote tower operations were developed and validated by Avinor and Indra in 2019 as part of EU’s PJ05 SESAR Remote Tower project. Furthermore, Avinor will be one of the first air navigation service providers in the world to go operational with the concept.
Indra also provides the GAREX Voice Communication Control System, used by Avinor to ensure reliable communication with pilots and ground personnel.