A decision should be made this year on where to build the digital tower for Flemish regional airports. Six sites remain eligible: three in West Flanders (Dijksmude, Jabeke, Wevelgem), two in East Flanders (Evergem, Ghent) and one in Antwerp (Grubendunk).
According to current timing, the digital tower is supposed to be ready for operation in 2027 or 2028.
With the digital tower, air traffic controllers are no longer located in a physical control tower at the airport. Camera masts at the airport transmit images to a room with monitors at another location. Thanks to cameras equipped with infrared, among other things, air traffic controllers can clearly see the plane on the screens, even at night or in fog. Additional information can also be displayed on each aircraft.
The country's first digital control tower will be built in Namur. Flight movements to and from Charleroi and Liège airports will be managed there, usually during 2026. The groundbreaking for the building was held about ten days ago.
Images from cameras at Liège Airport are already being sent to the prototype in Stenokerzell. “It allows the staff to be trained and the installation process completed in terms of technology and ergonomics,” says Johan Dekuyper of Skeyes, so that the digital tower on Namur can be put into use as soon as it is ready.
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