First-of-its-kind remote air traffic control centre coming to Western Sydney Airport

The new Western Sydney Airport is set to become the first in Australia to do away with the 100-year-old aviation tradition of manned control towers and instead use a remote digital air traffic control centre.

The centre, located 17 kilometres away from the tarmac in Eastern Creek, will employ advanced technology to manage air traffic.

The system uses 25 high-definition cameras on a 45-metre tower at the airport, providing a 360-degree live feed. 

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These cameras, equipped with infrared capabilities for low light and adverse weather conditions, transmit real-time images to air traffic controllers at the remote centre. 

According to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, the technology should lead to "hopefully less delays and cancellations due to fog and low visibility". 

"Western Sydney International Airport will be the most high-tech airport of any of the airports we have here in Australia," she said.

The digital system will also incorporate artificial intelligence to provide air traffic controllers with enhanced data. 

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"It's first-of-kind for Australia but it's not first-of-kind for the world," air traffic control advisor Deb McKenna said.

"It's used in other countries around the world and (we're) harnessing their knowledge as well."

Similar systems are already in use in London, and plans are underway to introduce the technology in Canberra and possibly beyond.

"We're absolutely looking at the roadmap for the future to see how we can use digital aerodrome technology solutions at other airports," chief aerodrome officer Michelle Peterson said.

Testing of the remote digital control centre is scheduled to start next month, ahead of the airport's planned opening in late 2026.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.