EU to co-fund a safer and more efficient air traffic control system in Hungary

The EU's TEN-T Programme will support with almost €1.4 million the upgrade of the Hungarian air traffic control system with Controller Pilot Data Link Communications. It is expected to improve the safety and reliability of communications between the pilot and the air traffic controller, as well as increase the capacity of air traffic control.

Hungarian air controllers currently exchange information with pilots over voice radio, which tends to get crowded as the number of flights increases.

This project will upgrade the Hungarian air traffic control system to the use of data link, introducing an additional text-based communication between the pilot and the control tower. The new system will improve the overall reception of information, reduce the risk of misunderstandings and increase the efficiency and capacity of the entire system.

The project responds to the EU requirements on enabling the air traffic management to the use of data link as of 2015. It will support the Single European Sky initiative (SES), which aims to increase Europe's airspace capacity, reduce the risk of accidents and the environmental impact of flights and cut costs for passengers.

The project was selected for EU funding with the assistance of external experts under the TEN-T Multiannual Call 2013, priority 'Air Traffic Management'. Its implementation will be monitored by INEA, the European Commission's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.

The project is to be completed by February 2015.