How Thales Is Modernising Zambia’s Air Traffic Control System

Air traffic controllers in Zambia are due to receive significant upgrades with new technology to improve safety and efficiency. The updates follow a 2014 agreement with Thales to modernize the air traffic control (ATC) centers at Lusaka and Livingstone International Airports in Zambia.

What is on the way?

Thales signed with Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, the state-owned airport management company, to expand its TopSky – ATC air traffic control automation solution with two new applications. The updates will come to ATC centers at the Zambian capital of Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, which serves Victoria Falls on the border with Zimbabwe.

The first application to be rolled out is Controller Pilot Data Link Communications. The program provides a channel for clear and secure dialogue between pilots and controllers.

Photo: Africadventures | Shutterstock

The second is the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract, which automatically transmits aircraft flight status reports to traffic management systems on the ground.

What do they do?

The two new programs will allow Zambia’s air traffic controllers to communicate with pilots using data messages instead of conventional voice radio. This will improve flight safety by mitigating the risk of degraded radio voice communications. This is not to replace voice communication, though, as Very High Frequency channels will still be available as the primary mode of communication in the Flight Information Region.

The new systems are set to improve operations and efficiency across the country significantly. Lusaka is by far the busiest airport in the country, with Livingstone also in the top three. Due to proximity to other major regional airports, several other busy airline corridors also cross the state. Cyril Einaudi, Vice President of the Global Turnkey segment at Thales, expressed the company’s excitement to roll out the new technology to these additional locations:

“We would like to thank ZACL for their continued trust and are proud to be able to support them once again in improving air navigation safety by integrating two state-of-the-art functions into our TopSky – ATC system, which are perfectly suited to today’s needs.

“Together, Thales and ZACL are delivering the safer air travel of tomorrow.”

The programs will provide air traffic control officers with more real-time information. The TopSky – ATC program provides air traffic controllers and technicians with accessible flight information and accurate real-time tracking tools to help detect potential conflicts and prevent miscommunication.

Traffic is bouncing back.

The announcement comes as Zambia Airports Corporation Limited reports solid numbers for the first half of 2023. Airports nationwide served 897,588 passengers, up significantly from the 679,177 over the same period in 2022.

Domestic travel has recovered by 126%, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels, while international traffic has recovered by 98%. Together, the figures represent a combined recovery of 104% from 2019 numbers.