ICAO Webinar Explores the Potential of Multi-Airport Remote Tower Solutions
Held against the backdrop of growing global demand for aviation, a recent ICAO webinar titled “Advancing in Multi-Airport Remote Tower Operations” shed light on the innovative ways to balance safety, efficiency, and cost in air traffic control. The webinar, hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), featured a detailed presentation from Indra, a Spain-based global technology and consulting firm renowned for its aerospace, defence, and mobility solutions. The eminent speakers at the event spoke about the role of technologies in shaping the aviation landscape, especially amid recent industry pushes for digitalisation and sustainability.
Indra, a veteran in air traffic management (ATM) with over 100 years of experience, has deployed hundreds of ATM centres across five continents. Apart from offering over 11,000 ATM solutions worldwide, the company operates a digital transformation consultancy, Minsait, in Spain and Latin America. At the webinar, Indra’s representatives showcased their digital remote tower technology, which they argue could revolutionise multi-airport operations.
Operating multiple airports with a single operator represents a significant advancement in remote tower operations. This approach provides numerous benefits for low- to medium-density airports and has been adopted by Avinor, which is among the first to implement it on a large scale. Avinor is a prominent Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), responsible for managing air traffic control services and operating 44 airports across Norway, many of which are in remote, low-traffic regions. Remote tower operations reduce the need for on-site control towers, cutting infrastructure and staffing costs, which is particularly advantageous for smaller airports with limited traffic. Martin Hasselknippe, Product Advisor at Tower Systems, Indra, and Ragnvald Godo, Executive Program Manager at Avinor, got together in this webinar to discuss the latest advancement in remote tower operations: operating multiple airports by a single operator.
Maria Lopez, Indra’s Head of Air Traffic Management Solutions, kicked off the presentation by outlining the system’s core benefits. “Our technology allows a single operator to manage up to three airports simultaneously, significantly reducing infrastructure costs while ensuring safety,” Lopez explained. She pointed out that Avinor, as a real-world example, began implementing remote tower operations as early as 2015, with its Centre in Bodø, Norway operational since at least 2020, according to historical data from aviation sources like the SESAR Joint Undertaking. Lopez emphasised the system’s advanced features, such as 4K cameras, a seamless stitched panorama display, and high-resolution night mode, which she said enhance controllers’ situational awareness even in low-visibility conditions.
Carlos Mendez, Indra’s Chief Technology Officer for ATM Systems, delved into the system’s autonomous capabilities. “We’ve integrated deep learning architectures to enable autonomous visual functions, detecting anomalies like undeclared landing gear, improper flap settings, or intrusions by unauthorised vehicles, people, animals, birds, or drones,” Mendez said. He also highlighted a collaboration with Imtradex on a two-button headset solution to streamline radio communications, validated during the SESAR PJ05 trials from 2016 to 2019, which aims to reduce operator workload—a critical factor in multi-airport setups.
The webinar comes at a pivotal time for the aviation sector, as evidenced by recent developments shared on X. Indra has been active globally, modernising ground-to-air communications in Brazil and enhancing ground surveillance at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport with France’s DSNA in May 2025. Meanwhile, ICAO’s X posts underscore their focus on next-generation technologies to make skies safer and more efficient, aligning with the seminar’s theme. These efforts reflect the industry’s broader push to address rising operational complexities through digital solutions, especially as economic pressures force airports to optimise resources without compromising safety.
Lopez also touched on Indra’s broader ATM portfolio, including the ManagAir system, which offers seamless gate-to-gate ATC services across all flight phases.
Indra’s presentation was compelling, particularly their focus on economic viability for smaller airports, which often struggle to remain operational. Yet, questions linger about the scalability of such systems in high-traffic environments and the potential risks of over-reliance on automation, especially given the critical nature of air traffic control. The webinar underscored the transformative potential of remote tower operations, but it also highlighted the need for rigorous testing and regulatory oversight as the industry navigates this digital shift. Overall, the webinar provided a comprehensive understanding of system capabilities, operational benefits, challenges, and its potential impact on air navigation services.
