Avinor and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace Sign Agreement for Seven New Remotely Controlled Towers

Expansion of Remote Towers Program Enhances Norwegian Air Traffic Control

Avinor and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace have entered into a strategic agreement to expand Norway's Remote Towers (RT) Program by adding seven new remotely controlled towers. This significant development aims to enhance the efficiency and coverage of air traffic control in the region.

Current and Future Capabilities

Tower Center in Bodø

The tower center in Bodø currently remotely controls 11 towers. By March 2025, the final towers of Phase 1 of the RT Program will be operational. An upgraded RT system will enable each work position to operate up to three airports simultaneously, significantly increasing operational capacity.

Phase 2a Expansion

Building on the success of remote-controlled operations, Avinor's board approved Phase 2a of the RT Program in February. This phase involves the addition of seven new towers, expanding the RT Program’s reach and capabilities.

Agreement Details

Partnership with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace

Avinor's agreement with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace includes the purchase of technical infrastructure and cameras for seven new airport installations. These airports are slated to become operational from the Bodø tower center by 2027. Additionally, an installation has been ordered for the upcoming Nye Bodø Airport, which will be operational from a new control center by August 2029.

New Airports in Phase 2a

The seven new airports included in this expansion are:

• Båtsfjord
• Vadsø
• Sørkjosen
• Sandane
• Mosjøen
• Ørsta Volda
• New Airport Mo i Rana

Strategic Importance

Enhancing Air Traffic Management

The RT Program is strategically crucial for Avinor, offering improved control and monitoring of Norwegian airspace. The remote-controlled tower system provides a flexible, efficient solution for managing air traffic across multiple airports, especially in remote regions.

Positive Operational Experiences

Initial experiences with remote-controlled operations have been very positive, demonstrating the system's reliability and efficiency. The expansion to include seven more towers will build on these successes, further enhancing Norway's air traffic control capabilities.