Scandinavian cooperation provides more efficient air traffic in Norway
When the existing air traffic control system that controls air traffic in northern Norway reached retirement age, the Norwegian company Avinor crossed the border to find a partner who could help them introduce the more modern Natcon Nord system.
A few years ago Avinor, which operates 46 airports in Norway, decided that the ATM system in Bodö that controls air traffic in northern Norway had become outmoded. It had to be replaced with a new one. Avinor had a lack of proprietary technologies and air traffic controllers, so they needed a partner for its proper implementation.
“We knew beforehand that Combitech would be a good partner as we had already established contact,” says Atle Kristiansen, Project Manager at Avinor. Combitech took care of everything from testing to installation and commissioning of the entire system. Among other things, this included the installation of all necessary hardware and software at 35 airports.
Then Avinor’s 350 air traffic controllers would be trained in the new system. Here, Combitech brought in the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration’s subsidiary, Swedavia, as instructors.
From order to commissioning, it took approximately three years to implement Natcon Nord which meant that Combitech kept to the schedule by a good margin.
Avinor is extremely pleased with the outcome.
“There have been very few technical problems and extremely high operational stability. The staff has felt very comfortable using the new system right from the start,” says Atle Kristiansen.
