Manchester Airport will become the first UK international airport to adopt a hybrid digital control tower as part of its digital transformation.

In partnership with National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and technology company Searidge Technolgies, the airport will deploy operational grade, ultra-high-definition panoramic cameras to help its air traffic controllers manage ground operations.

The controllers will use the live footage from these cameras, which are augmented in real-time with radar data and overlays, to manage aircraft movements around the airport’s Terminal 2 extensions.

The technology will cover 28 parking stands and four taxi-lanes from two panoramic arrays of 4K cameras.

The system will also use an AI tool called Aimee, which can automatically monitor the turnaround process for aircraft parked on stands around the airport.

Manchester Airport said the technology will optimise its service by improving capacity and on time performance.

It is set to be rolled out by the end of 2026.

“Improving airfield efficiency is a key driver in our £1.3 billion transformation programme which will help us unlock Manchester Airport’s full potential and deliver real benefits to people in the North,” said Gary Renault, head of airfield operations at Manchester Airport. “This system will decrease delays and help us operate more flights – meaning greater choice, value and flexibility for our passengers.”

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