Turkish Air Traffic Control Being Modernized

An important step has been taken to end encroachments of Turkish air space often perpetrated by Greek jets over the Aegean Sea.

From now on, nation-wide airline navigation units and air traffic controllers will monitor and direct Turkish air space from a single center equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The project called “Systematic Modernization of Air Traffic Management Resources in Turkey” (SMART) will enhance Turkey’s air traffic and monitoring services in its jurisdiction.

Reports put the cost of the project at $87 million dollars. However, it will be reimbursed by Eurocontrol, the institution responsible for monitoring the European air zone. After its launch, the project will be able to control Turkish air space stretching from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The SMART project will ensure the replacement of outdated systems, the provision of a safer and swifter service and increase the capacity of Turkish air space.

The provisional modernization phase of the project will be completed in September 2007, and the second phase in 2009. The project, which foresees the renewal of all air traffic control resources across the country, is referred to as the largest in Europe. The SMART system will also make it possible to monitor the entire air zone simultaneously for the next 20 years from a headquarters in Ankara.

By Fatih Atik, Ankara , Zaman Daily News, LINK