Saudi Arabia has achieved a milestone in the Middle East’s aviation sector by managing air traffic at AlUla International Airport remotely through the region’s first virtual control tower.
The Saudi Air Navigation Services company (SANS) received the operating license from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) after meeting all safety and security requirements, making AlUla the first airport in the region to be managed remotely.
The step comes as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to adopt the latest technologies in the aviation sector, strengthen AlUla’s position as a global logistics hub in the northwest of the Kingdom, and support tourism growth in the region, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
On 20 June 2022, Indra, a leading global technological engineering company for the aerospace, defence and mobility sectors, and Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop and operate a virtual control tower at AlUla International Airport, which thus becomes the first to enter service in the Middle East.
SANS oversees air traffic at AlUla International Airport remotely from the virtual tower center located at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, after training and qualifying its national staff to operate and manage this advanced technology.
The virtual control tower relies on cutting-edge digital technologies, including 360-degree high-definition cameras, advanced sensors, and artificial-intelligence (AI) systems for data analysis and comprehensive airspace monitoring. It offers multiple advantages, most notably improved efficiency and service effectiveness, by enhancing air traffic monitoring through real-time analytics and digital imaging.
The system contributes to higher safety levels by ensuring smoother air traffic flow using instant data and modern technologies. It also supports sustainability by improving infrastructure quality while reducing construction and operating costs, thereby strengthening environmental sustainability.
The project will position the Saudi aviation sector at the forefront of global development and contribute to driving the goals set out in the 2030 Strategic Vision with which the kingdom is reinforcing and diversifying its economy. (SPA; Indra; Photo © Indra)
