Thales to modernise Zambia’s air traffic control with latest TopSky ATC solution

Thales is working with Zambia Airports Corporation Limited to modernise the TopSky – ATC systems at the ATC centres at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, Livingstone. Thanks to the Datalink CPDLC and ADS-C solutions, Zambia’s ATC centres and pilots will be able to communicate via data messages instead of conventional voice radio. This upgrade will enhance flight safety by mitigating the risk of degraded radio communications. VHF channels will still be available as the primary mode of communication in the Flight Information Region (FIR).

To ensure safe navigation in their airspace, air traffic control officers (ATCOs) need to know the exact position of an aircraft before and during flight. Flight plans provide an initial overview of the pilot’s intentions, but complete situational awareness is only possible thanks to a network of connected sensors that provide ATCOs with real-time knowledge. All this data enables flights to be “deconflicted”, thereby increasing air safety.