LFV control centre in Sundsvall expanded

Infrastructure Minister Anna Johansson inaugurated the new extension of LFV's Remote Tower Center in Sundsvall last week. The extension provides the capacity to manage air traffic remotely at even more airports.

Air traffic at Örnsköldsvik Airport was the first in the world to be remotely controlled in April 2015. 
"It took only ten years for remote air traffic control to go from vision to reality. It has now been fully operational for almost two years and another two airports will be connected during the spring. With this expansion we can remotely control three more airports from Sundsvall," says LFV Director General, Olle Sundin. 
"Sweden is in the forefront when it comes to remote air traffic management. The whole sector is in an exciting development phase where new technologies and digitalisation opportunities are important elements in the development of operations," said the Minister of Infrastructure, Anna Johansson. 

The existing control centre has places for two air traffic control positions for remote control. With the extra 430 square metres constructed, there will be place for another three positions. Through this expansion, LFV will gain modern, specialised facilities to operate efficient remote air traffic management. 
By the end of 2016, air traffic management in Sundsvall had accumulated 6,400 hours of operating experience. Sundsvall has become a centre for the development and demonstration of remote air traffic management, and the facility has been visited by more than 1,600 people from all around the world since it started operations. 
One or more air traffic control towers can be operated from another place, irrespective of the distance, by the use of Remote Tower Services (RTS). The result is an airport that can offer more flexible air traffic services on demand and flexible operating hours that can meet customer requirements. 

Advantages of Remote Tower Services

• The supply of cost effective air traffic management.
• Airports with a low traffic intensity become feasible.
• Co-localisation of air traffic services means more efficient use of personnel and infrastructure.
• Offers an alternative to renovation or construction of new towers.
• Air traffic management on demand - flexible hours to meet customer requirements.
• Easy to upgrade operational levels.
• Option of offering 24/7 SAR (Search and Rescue) operations and medical evacuation.
• Improvement of safety through new technology. 

For more information please contact the LVF press service on +46 11 19 20 50. 

LFV operates air traffic management and associated services for civil and military aviation and is Sweden's leading player in this area. Through various forms of collaboration, LFV also participates in the development of European airspace. LFV has extensive experience in providing aviation consultancy services in the international market. Research and development is one of its focus areas and LFV offers smart solutions for future aviation. Remotely operated air traffic management is a completely new method of controlling aircraft, first developed by LFV and currently attracting global attention. LFV has 1,100 employees and a turnover of SEK 3.1 billion. 

Facts about LFV 

• LFV controls air traffic at 20 airports and from three control centres in Sweden.
• LFV is partnered with GAL, Global Aerospace Logistics, a supplier of air navigation services in the United Arab Emirates.
• LFV has more than 70 years’ experience and knowledge of air navigation services and aviation safety.  30 years’ experience of doing business in more than 50 countries.
• LFV is a public enterprise.
• 726,000 aircraft movements in Swedish airspace in 2016.
• 99.9% punctuality.
• 100% air safety goals achieved.

Photo from left: Erik Bäckman, Head of RTC, Olle Sundin, Director General LFV, Anna Johansson, Infrastructure Minister of Sweden.

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