Estonia’s remote tower was selected as the Deed of the Year in Estonian Aviation

The remote tower is a system that allows the provision of air traffic control or flight information services in a remote manner, as a result of which, air traffic currently operating in Tartu can be managed due to technical solutions from a remote tower centre located in Tallinn.

This is an innovative solution created in Estonia. Estonia is the third country in the European Union and the sixth in the world to have implemented this kind of a modern air traffic management system.

“We put Estonia on the map through innovation again with the remote tower solution,” said Ivar Värk, Chairman of the Board of EANS. “This is an acknowledgement of Estonian aviation, and also an accomplishment for the IT field – the remote tower was built by our own people in Estonia. We are pioneers and trailblazers in this field worldwide, and being selected as the Deed of the Year indicates that the aviation industry appreciates innovative solutions that provide accurate and accessible flight information and better organisation of service delivery in accordance with the accessibility of airports.”

“The success of EANS and the remote tower in this competition is due to the practical implementation of something that is naturally innovative, which then in turn helps to improve the quality of air traffic control through introducing new functionalities,” said Koit Kaskel, Chairperson of the competition jury and Rector at the Estonian Aviation Academy. “It can also create prerequisites for cost savings in relation to the service.”

The remote tower system has been fully developed in Estonia by local professionals; it began in cooperation with Cybernetica AS and continued on with Adacel Technologies Estonia.

Tartu’s flight information service has already been transferred to Tallinn’s remote tower and other regional airports will be added in due time. Tartu and Kuressaare airports will be followed next year by Kärdla. Pärnu Airport will be the last regional airport to receive the remote tower solution.

The competition ‘The Deed of the Year in Estonian Aviation’ is organised by the Estonian Aviation Academy. The competition acknowledges Estonian aviation companies or organisations whose results and accomplishments are excellent and of great importance to Estonian aviation.

The overall winner was selected by a jury which consisted of aviation experts. Additionally, every aviation hobbyist was able to cast a vote for their favourite deed. The deed that received the most votes in the public vote was awarded the People’s Favourite Award.

Here is an introductory short video regarding the remote tower with English subtitles.

Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS) is a new generation provider of air traffic control services in Estonia, whose work includes providing air traffic management, consultancy and training services.