Thanks to new procedures implemented by Belgocontrol, Brussels South Charleroi Airport will be able to safely manage twice as many flights in low visibility conditions.
This doubling of capacity is made possible by new procedures that were developed by Belgocontrol in collaboration with Charleroi Airport. These procedures can be applied in the short term and involve interaction between air traffic services (Belgocontrol) and airport authorities (BSCA), which provide logistical support to guide aircraft to their boarding gates or runway threshold.
Investments in the regional airports
In the medium term (2019-2020) Belgocontrol will partner with regional airports (Charleroi and Liège) in the implementation of A-SMGCS (Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System). The ground-radar system A-SMGCS is a radar surveillance tool enabling air traffic controllers to control and guide aircraft and vehicles on the ground, in the event of low visibility at the aerodrome. In reduced visibility conditions, this technology will optimize capacity while maintaining an optimal safety level.
A-SMGCS will be set up in 2019 in Liège and in 2020 in Charleroi. It is financed by SOWAER for a total amount of six million euro.
Johan Decuyper, Belgocontrol CEO, emphasizes the investments made by Belgocontrol in the regional airports: “Together with our various partners, we are fully cooperating in the development of regional airports. We are continuously improving our operations to better serve airports, airlines and passengers.”