Swedish air navigation service provider ACR wins procurement for five airports

The private Swedish air navigation service provider ACR Aviation Capacity Resources has won the joint procurement of air navigation services, meteorological services and communication and navigation (CN) services at Jönköping, Kalmar, Karlstad, Norrköping and Skellefteå airports. ACR has been responsible for air navigation services and meteorological services at the five airports since 2014. ACR will provide ANS and CN services for the airports over the next eight years.

ACR is Europe’s first private ANSP, currently operates air navigation service provision at 16 Swedish airports, the largest being Stockholm-Skavsta. The goal is to establish ACR as a leading ANSP in the European market.

ACR has been responsible for air navigation services and meteorological services at the five airports since January 1, 2014. The previous contract ran for four years with the option of an extension of two years. The new procurement in 2019, also included for the first-time communication and navigation (CN) services. (TWR/APP/MET and CN services)

ACR won the tender in competition with the Spanish operator SAERCO and LFV/SAAB's jointly owned company Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions (SDATS) at significantly lower prices.

“It is very satisfactory that ACR has been given confidence to operate cost-effective and safe air navigation services for these airports. We are convinced of the importance of having air traffic controllers locally located at the airports both from an aviation safety perspective and for cost reasons for the financially stressed regional airports. The procurement gives an important signal for other European airports”, says ACR’s CEO Wilhelm Wohlfahrt.

ACR welcomes developments of new technology and constantly evaluates cost-effective solutions for customers. From mid 2020, ACR will establish a technology focused company focusing on the development and system management of CN(S) services, (Communication, Navigation & Surveillance).

ACR is a game changer in the air navigation service industry, combining effective administration in combination with innovation. The deregulation in Sweden in 2010 has resulted in the cost of air navigation services being reduced by 30 to 40 percent for the airports that procured the services from ACR.