Airservices to spend big this year.

Airservices Australia is to spend over A$200 million in the next 12 months upgrading infrastructure, systems and equipment.

The capital expenditure program budget for this financial year will be a record, as the Australian ANSP tackles some of ageing infrastructure targets.

“Airservices is committed to ensuring the future of a safe, efficient and robust air traffic system in Australia,” Airservices CEO Greg Russell said.

“By investing in new and emerging technologies, we will be establishing the foundation for Australia’s next generation air traffic management environment."

The budget also allows for the recruitment of around 100 air traffic controllers and more than 70 aviation fire fighters.

Key projects to be undertaken during 2010/2011 include:

* new surface movement radars in Brisbane and Perth

* replacement or upgrading of key en-route radars and instrument landing systems

* construction of new air traffic control towers at Melbourne, Adelaide, Rockhampton and Broome

* refurbishment and reopening of Karratha’s air traffic control tower

* upgrading aviation rescue and fire fighting training facilities in Melbourne

* upgrading fire stations at Sydney and Melbourne, the commencement of new fire stations in

Brisbane and Broome, and the roll-out of new fire vehicles and equipment.

The first of the projects to get underway is the new control tower for Adelaide Airport, construction of which commenced today.

The new tower, which will be twice the height of the old tower, will be situated close to the terminal building.

Mirroring the ‘glass cockpit’ concept of modern jet aircraft, the tower will feature customisable touch screens to provide information to controllers to perform operational tasks.

The display system will integrate flight and operational data, surveillance and voice communications into one sophisticated tower-specific design.

The new Adelaide tower is expected to enter service in early 2012.