DFS Aviation Services (DAS) has opened its Remote Tower Control Center (RTC Center) in the north of Germany, Lower Saxony, at Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport. With the support of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Transport and Digitalisation, this innovative entity entered the operational implementation phase in November. The air traffic control services for Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport will already be partially taken over from the Remote Tower Center during the current implementation phase. As part of a festive ceremony, the official opening of the Center was celebrated.

FREQUENTIS DFS AEROSENSE to Validate Virtual Tower System at Munich Airport 

FREQUENTIS DFS AEROSENSE has secured a contract to install a validation system for a virtual tower at Munich Airport. This project, based at the DFS branch in Munich, aims to assess the feasibility and readiness of virtual tower technology for large hub airports like Munich. The system will support complex operations, including mixed approaches, departures, and independent parallel runway operations. 

In the initial phase, the potential of the virtual tower for Munich Airport will be evaluated from both operational and technical perspectives. Future use cases may include deploying the virtual tower as a temporary solution during the upcoming renovation of Munich's control tower. Technical and operational validations are scheduled for 2025. 

This innovative project will involve the installation of 360-degree panorama and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras on the existing control tower, transmitting 4K resolution imagery to screens at the DFS branch. This will simulate the view from the tower, providing an effective substitute for traditional air traffic control methods. 

A look at the live RDT systems that are in action across the continents

How Digital Tower technology are leading ANSPs to re-define their business model. (ATC Network 03/23)

As digital tower technology continues to prove itself at airports, Frequentis DFS Aerosense is exploring even more efficiency gains and cost savings in a sustainable, compact version. We spoke to ATM Magazine about why the long-term benefits centre around multi-remote tower centres for a network of airports and how rising energy prices are just one reason leading organisations to look at a smaller set-up. 

DFS Group to establish Remote Tower Centre in collaboration with Frequentis Group

DFS Aviation Services GmbH (DAS), in partnership with FREQUENTIS DFS AEROSENSE, has been commissioned to build a state-of-the-art Remote Tower Centre (RTC) for Braunschweig-Wolfsburg and Emden airports in northern Germany. This project, a significant element of Lower Saxony’s “Masterplan Digitalisation,” is supported by a €5 million grant from the regional government and is set to enhance air traffic management in the region. 

The new RTC, scheduled to begin operations in 2024, will centralise air traffic control for both airports, building on DAS's extensive experience, including their ongoing services at Emden. The project reflects a forward-looking approach to air traffic management, with potential future expansion to other regional airports. In collaboration with the Institute of Flight Guidance at the German Aerospace Center, the RTC will integrate cutting-edge technology to streamline and optimise air traffic services. 

DFS Expands Remote Tower Control: Erfurt Airport Now Monitored from Leipzig 

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung has successfully expanded its Remote Tower Control (RTC) Centre in Leipzig to oversee air traffic at Erfurt Weimar Airport, located approximately 100 kilometres away. This advancement follows the successful implementation of the RTC system at Saarbrücken Airport, where DFS has been managing air traffic remotely since 2018. 

The RTC system at Erfurt includes advanced high-definition video and infrared camera technology, offering a continuous 360-degree view of the airport, with enhanced capabilities for night operations and automatic tracking of aircraft and vehicles. This cutting-edge technology ensures that air traffic controllers can manage operations safely and efficiently without being physically present at the airport. 

DFS CEO Arndt Schoenemann highlighted the innovation and safety of the RTC system, which is considered one of the most advanced globally. The system's success at Saarbrücken, with over 36,000 flights managed, underscores its reliability. Plans are already underway to extend the RTC to Dresden Airport by the end of 2023. 

Future of Airports: FREQUENTIS and German Aerospace Centre enhance remote tower operations 

Frequentis, in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), is advancing the development of Multiple Remote Tower Modules, which are set to replace traditional air traffic control (ATC) towers. These modules, located in a centralised Remote Tower Centre, allow for the control of multiple airports from a single location, offering significant efficiency gains. This innovative approach was tested during validation exercises in Germany, demonstrating the potential to streamline air traffic services (ATS) and optimise resources. 

In November 2021, a prototype Remote Tower Centre, controlling up to 15 airports, was successfully validated with contributions from Lithuanian and Polish air traffic controllers. The trials showcased the effectiveness of the system's advanced technology, including high-definition cameras and real-time data integration, further enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency. 

Frequentis and DLR’s work on this project is part of the SESAR programme, aimed at modernising air traffic management across Europe. The successful validation and subsequent SESAR Online Open Day highlighted the significant potential of this technology to shape the future of ATC operations. 

Picture: A Remote Tower Centre prototype was set up to control 15 simulated airports as realistically as possible from a remote location. © DLR

Digital remote towers help to leverage shared assets, improve efficiency, and enable new concepts of operations. Regina Bruzek, Frequentis’ Remote Tower Expert and Rainer Kaufhold, Research and Development Expert at DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, talk to International Airport Review about the latest validation results, future scenarios and operational excellence.

Remote digital towers are becoming more interesting for ANSPs looking for efficiency gains and to enhance tower operations. Moritz Manzel, Regional Manager Middle East and Yannick Beyer, Sales Director at Frequentis DFS Aerosense, explain the importance of stakeholder involvement and change management for a successful digital tower project delivery.