Birmingham Airport updates flight data display system to EFPS

Birmingham Airport has implemented electronic flight progress strips (EFPS) – a new flight data display system – within its air traffic control (ATC) tower.

The new EFPS system is expected to further enhance how the airport handles the hundred thousand flights that arrive and depart annually, replacing the old paper-based system previously utilised by the air traffic controllers to monitor and track the progress of each flight.

Head of Air Navigation Services at Birmingham Airport, Nick James, said: “Airport and European Investment in the latest air traffic control systems and technologies demonstrate the ambition to develop the wider air traffic management (ATM) network to facilitate efficiencies and growing demand across Europe, and ensures that Birmingham Airport is well positioned to accommodate future demand.” 

EFPS benefits include safety nets to assist controllers in detecting potential conflicts between aircraft and vehicles; reducing verbal coordination required between controllers; and information sharing with other Birmingham Airport stakeholders – each benefit will help to enhance safety and increase capacity capabilities at the airport.

The system also benefits from the implementation of a new advanced surface movement guidance control system (ASMGCS), which functions using new ground surface radar and multilateration data.

Implementation of EFPS is part of a wider project that is investing in upgrades to the air traffic control infrastructure, which includes advanced surface movement guidance and control system and departure manager. These systems will facilitate the introduction of airport collaborative decision making (A-CDM) processes.