Georgia adopts 15m GEL air traffic control system to improve flight safety

Georgia is improving its flight safety standards by introducing new technology that will increase control of the country’s airspace, allowing Georgia to concentrate on offering high-level navigation services to more foreign airlines.

Fifteen million GEL is being spent on replacing the old with a new high-tech system that's touted as the most successful ATC (Air Traffic Control) system in Europe.

The operation period of the old service is due to expire in one year. A Spanish company regarded as the best in the aviation industry will install the new system, provide follow-up services and monitor the training process of the employees as they familiarise themselves with the new software.

Upgrading the new software was the result of a procurement agreement of the automated ATC system, signed today in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi between Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd. of Georgia’s Economy Ministry and Spanish company Indra Sistemas S.A.

Georgia became a member of Eurocontrol – the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation – at the beginning of 2014. By joining the 41-member state organisation, Georgia was required to upgrade its current air traffic systems to meet European standards.

Georgia’s Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said: "By joining Eurocontrol Georgia’s navigation systems should be in accordance with European standards. For this, today’s agreement was very important.”

Fifteen million GEL investments will be applied to make Georgia’s transit area more attractive and safer. Georgia performs more than 400 air-transits per day. Based on international forecasts this number is expected to increase by six percent. This means that our systems should be ready to serve larger numbers of the passengers,” he said.

The Spanish technology provider tasked with installing the new software, Indra Sistemas S.A, is one of the world leading companies in the air traffic control and navigation systems industry. The company has more than 30 years’ experience in the aviation industry and it is widely regarded as one of the safest and high-tech navigation systems in the world. Currently more than 150 countries use its aviation-focussed products and services.