Chengdu, located in the Sichuan province of China, is one of the country’s most important cities and, alongside Shanghai and Beijing, serves as a crucial air operations hub. This metropolis is home to two of China’s major airports, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (ZUUU) and Tianfu International Airport (ZUTF). The latter was built in recent years and designed to be one of China’s largest and most modern airports. Tianfu is expected to play a key role in expanding air operations and further strengthening Chengdu’s status as a major transportation hub, capable of accommodating the rapid growth in air traffic demand in the region.
The decision to construct the new Chengdu-Tianfu Airport led to the need for a modern air traffic management system with the latest technology to handle the complex future ATM environment. Indra, one of the world’s leading providers of air traffic management technology, was once again chosen by the Southwest Air Traffic Management Bureau of China (SWATMB) to upgrade its ATM enviroment in the Area Control Center (ACC), the Terminal Control Area (TMA) and the air traffic control towers of Chengdu-Shuangliu (ZUUU) and Chengdu-Tianfu Airports (ZUTF) with ManagAir, Indra´s most advanced ATM solution, as well as InNOVA, our fully integrated solution for air traffic control towers, including the complete integration of all systems to ensure that all the different centres’ systems operate as a single unit in this region.
Automation and integration
System integration in the air traffic environment is essential to ensure the safety and efficiency of air operations. It ensures interoperability and seamless communication between different systems through the use of common communication standards such as data exchange via specific protocols, bidirectional data synchronization capability, and the implementation of backup and redundancy systems to ensure operational continuity.
ManagAir, and the integrated tower solution provided by Indra, is one of the most advanced air traffic management solutions in the world. The system integrates the latest and most advanced ATC functionalities, making use of new technologies and user-friendly graphical interfaces. It also has the capability to operate with each centre’s systems in partnership or independently. The integrated systems include: automation system, electronic flight strip system (EFS), flight plan management system (FPS), visual aids management system for the involved airports’ airfield, and radar and multilateration (MLAT) information.
Our solution puts the controller at the core as the user interface has been tailored to meet the operational demands of each position, providing an efficient and user-friendly experience, improving situational awareness and simplifying the decision-making process, taking advantage of advanced sensor and data interfacing, as well as industry-leading tracking, labelling and human machine interface techniques. Indra has taken care of every detail to equip air traffic controllers with the most advanced tools: “Everything is optimized and automated to the maximum to reduce the controller’s workload and allow them to manage more flights with maximum safety,” they explain.
In total, the implemented system features over 149 control positions (84 operational positions, 21 technical positions, 30 simulation positions, and 14 test positions) and is one of the most advanced and capable systems currently operating in the Asian continent.
Indra´s system incorporates the latest modern functionalities, assisting controllers in maintaining the highest safety standards and ensuring operational efficiency. It includes features such as surface routing, runway incursion warnings associated with stop bars, as well as glide path and localizer monitoring warnings, enhancing the assurance of safe flight operations.
The system has been designed and delivered including a complete ATC simulator system and a testing facility that will ensure continuous training for the current and future ATCOs (Air Traffic Controllers) in the region.
Efficiency and safety
The successful update and implementation of the ATM system in Chengdu by Indra has been driven by meeting efficiency, safety, capacity, and future scalability objectives.
System integration and data synchronization optimize flight flow, reducing waiting times and enhancing operational efficiency. Air traffic controllers now have real-time access to traffic and weather information, enabling them to make more precise and efficient decisions to optimize flight flow. The ability to transfer information and management quickly and seamlessly between positions and screens improves coordination and overall decision-making within the system.
Also, the implementation of fully integrated systems maximizes operational safety in Chengdu’s airspace. Features such as runway incursion warnings associated with stop bars, glide path and localizer monitoring warnings reduce the risk of incidents and enhance safety in flight operations. Flight controllers have access to up-to-date and accurate information, allowing them to anticipate and effectively respond to disruptive or contingency situations. Furthermore, system integration enables better coordination and communication among air traffic controllers, reducing the risk of errors and improving response capability when needed.
In addition, the systems implemented by Indra in Chengdu enhance the technological capacity of the ATM system in the region. The integration of ACC and APP with the control towers of Shuangliu and Tianfu airports allows for closer coordination and more collaborative decision-making. Flight controllers have real-time access to traffic and weather information, enabling them to optimize route and altitude assignments, thus reducing delays and increasing flight capacity in the region. This increased ATM capacity is essential to cope with the continuous growth of air traffic and ensure safe and efficient operations.
Lastly, the implementation of advanced ATC systems establishes a solid foundation for future growth in the region. These systems have the capacity to adapt and scale to meet the ever-evolving needs of air traffic. As the number of flights increases and airport operations develop, the systems implemented by Indra in Chengdu are prepared to face the challenges of future growth. Additionally, the ability to integrate different systems provides a flexible and adaptable platform for future enhancements and updates.
Indra at the core
The implementation and integration of Indra´s ManagAir and InNOVA solutions in Chengdu have been one of the largest air traffic projects initiated by the country in recent years. This achievement adds to the company’s long history of success in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB).
This project would not have been possible without the products provided by Indra, a leading global technology and consulting company. Indra has delivered innovative and cutting-edge solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
These products have proven their effectiveness and reliability in numerous projects worldwide.