AI Revolutionizes Air Traffic Control for Safer Skies 

Post 2019, the demand for air travel has plummeted worldwide. Air Traffic Control systems (ATC) have had to integrate AI technology in order to meet this rapid consumer demand. According to The World Airport Traffic, by the end of 2024, passenger air traffic globally is predicted to reach ‘9.7 billion’ and double to ‘19.3 billion’ by 2042. 

Air Traffic Control systems must rapidly modernize and innovate new technology to combat the challenges faced in airspace management, including increasing demand for air travel, increased congestion, and weather conditions that reduce traffic control visibility. 

Integrating AI (artificial intelligence) into air traffic control will enhance the speed and intelligence of airport logistics. Essential for today’s highly competitive business environment, allowing for more streamlined operations. 

The Role of AI in Digital Control Towers

Control towers monitor air traffic management in real-time. Initially, they relied solely on the view from the tower to see the area around the airfield. New emerging technology such as digital control towers integrates AI, allowing for a wider range of visibility. 

Digital control towers have screens in place of windows that digitally display the airfield and allow monitoring from remote locations. Using a range of high-definition cameras and sensors, digital control towers create virtual replications that accurately mirror airfields. Cameras are strategically placed around the airport from the airport tower to the grounds.  

The comprehensive view allows controllers to enhance airport landing capacity, regardless of unsuitable weather conditions, such as low clouds and low landing visibility. 

AI can analyze camera footage using machine learning algorithms to recognize, identify, and track the movement of vehicles, whether they are in the skies or on the ground. This allows air controllers to track aircraft in real time with greater precision and accuracy, enabling us to manage the airspace more safely. 

What’s more, AI can use the data to predict future turnaround times for planes, improving airport operation efficiency and reducing delays.

AI-Driven Route Planning

Aviation is using AI to enhance sustainability in their operations. AI will play a significant role in reducing flight times and helping Airbus reach its mission. To achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Airlines can also use AI to create AI-driven route planning to reduce fuel consumption and congestion. Additionally, AI can predict potential disruptions, enabling strategic decision-making. 

AI systems use advanced machine learning algorithms to process vast amounts of data. This includes historical flight data, aircraft positions, and weather patterns. The data is processed rapidly and precisely, helping pilots get more efficient routes that avoid turbulence. Pilots can then decide whether to accept the AI recommendations. 

Airlines can also use AI systems to determine the fuel quantity required for a whole flight journey and predict traffic flow and congestion. 

Flyways AI

For four years, Alaska Airlines has been using Flyways AI to generate flight routes that are safe and reduce fuel consumption and flight time. For example, in 2023, routes that used Flyways AI ‘saved over 1.2 million gallons of fuel,’ according to an article from Business Insider. Enormously reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The use of Flyways AI in aviation has streamlined air traffic and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. 

AIMEE AI Testing at London Heathrow Airport

Since 2023, London Heathrow Airport has been piloting an AI system called AIMEE. Airbus developed AIMEE AI, an artificial intelligence engine to improve air traffic efficiency. AIMEE has been used to observe ‘more than 40,000 flights,’ as per a report by MSN.

London Heathrow Airport is trialing a digital control tower that uses 20 cameras to display live airport views onscreen. Computer algorithms send the camera information to AIMEE. AIMEE processes the data and allows air traffic controllers to monitor flights and ensure they touch down safely. 

AIMEE informs the controller when an aircraft has cleared the runway by interpreting the data and tracking the aircraft. Reducing delays, improving punctuality, and making the skies more manageable and safer for all. 

Sabeela Imran

Sabeela is a dedicated aviation enthusiast, passionate about pursing a career in aviation management. She is committed to becoming a leader who will inspire innovation and make customer focused solutions. She is devoted to learning about new technological and digital advancements in aviation, and is keen to enhance her knowledge, researching the dynamics of aviation in depth. She hopes to inspire aspiring aviators.

You might also like:

• Learn about VFR and IFR Flying
• “One olive off and thinner lime slices” – Subtle techniques airlines implement to save more money
• Why Environmental Activists Broke Into Paris Airport and Painted a Plane Green
• The Future of Flying: AI in Aviation
• A brief history of the Star Alliance