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As part of a USD6.8 billion development project to introduce ultra-modern airport facilities at Abu Dhabi International, including a visually spectacular 109 metre tall, 20-storey Air Traffic Control Tower, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has announced it will be installing the latest generation Air Traffic Control systems from Thales – the global market leader in Air Traffic Management systems, civil radars and navigation aids.
Using Thales’s integrated gate-to-gate solution that encompasses the en route, approach and airport phases, the new Air Traffic Control Tower will be fully operational by 2010.
The system has been selected to enhance the airport’s operational capabilities, increase airport safety and facilitate speedy traffic-handling operations. Integrating EUROCAT(1) and EUROCAT-T(2) air traffic management systems, this solution will allow Abu Dhabi Airports Company’s controllers to share data on aircraft positions and to operate seamless handovers between territories.
Combined with Thales’s Surface Movement Guidance Control System(3), Distance Measuring Equipment(4) and multilalteration(5) systems, the new Air Traffic Control Tower will enhance traffic safety and security with the latest state-of-the-art tools, including an unprecedented system of safeguards for approach control.
Ahmed Al Haddabi, ADAC’s Senior Vice President of Airport Operations said: “ADAC is developing Abu Dhabi International Airport into a dynamic gateway to the world with a commitment to safety and security at the heart of all our developments. Our stunning new Air Traffic Control Tower, which is an integral part of this development programme, will be one of the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art facilities in the world, thanks to the systems from Thales. This commitment to safety and security is demonstrated by our selection of industry-leading partners and suppliers that raise-the-bar on safe, comfortable and convenient air travel for the benefit of all our passenger and airline customers in Abu Dhabi.”
Richard Deakin, Thales Senior Vice President, in charge of Air Systems activities, stated: “ADAC’s ambition is to transform Abu Dhabi airport into a hub airport as well as an economic zone of reference in a region which benefits from a dynamic economy without predecessor. Thales is proud to be cooperating this closely with the ADAC teams to carry out a project of such scale. The United Arab Emirates will have an airport with a truly unique and modern infrastructure and an unrivalled level of security.”
Thales has supplied a total of 260 EUROCAT air traffic control centres worldwide, all designed to comply with international standards and meet customers’ requirements for enhanced traffic safety and security.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
