If you are planning to fly to or from Western Sydney in the near future, you might be surprised to learn that there will be no air traffic control tower at the airport. Instead, the airspace controllers will be watching over the planes from a data centre located 20 kilometres away.
This is the first major airport in Australia to use a Digitised Aerodrome Service (DAS), which is a system that uses cameras, sensors and screens to monitor the aircraft movements on the ground and in the air.
The DAS system will be installed at a 45-metre mast with 20 cameras on top, which will provide a 360-degree view of the airport. The cameras will also have zoom and tilt functions to focus on specific areas or objects. The live feeds from the cameras will be projected onto screens at the Eastern Creek data centre, where the airspace controllers will be based.
The screens will also display information such as the aircraft’s call sign, altitude and speed, which will help the controllers to coordinate the traffic more efficiently and safely. The DAS system will also enhance the visibility of the controllers in low light or bad weather conditions, as they will be able to detect any debris on the runway or any potential hazards.
The DAS system is expected to improve the operational performance and safety of the airport, as well as reduce costs and environmental impacts. The system is also designed to be scalable and adaptable, so it can accommodate future growth and changes at the airport.
The Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) is scheduled to open in late 2026, and will be able to handle up to 10 million passengers per year. The airport is named after Nancy-Bird Walton, a pioneering Australian aviator who was the founder and patron of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association.
The WSI airport is a significant milestone for Australia’s aviation industry, as it showcases the latest technology and innovation in air traffic management. It is also a testament to the vision and leadership of Airservices Australia, the national provider of air navigation services, which announced the DAS system this week.
The WSI airport will not only boost the economy and connectivity of Western Sydney, but also offer a unique and modern flying experience for travellers.