The Polish Air Navigations Services Agency (PANSA) has officially opened its air traffic control (ATC) centre in the vicinity of Poznań-Ławica Airport. The facility is capable of managing all air traffic in Polish airspace. It also marks the first of PANSA’s investments in infrastructure for the Central Communication/ Transport Port (CPK) – a project which includes the construction of a new airport to replace Warsaw Chopin Airport. The new Solidarność Airport will be able to accommodate up to 45 million passengers a year.
The three-level, self-sufficient facility has been built on the site of an old radar tower with an investment of PLN 91.5 million. “Big investments start with smaller steps,” said Deptuy Minister of Infrastructure and Government Plenipotentiary for CPK, Marcin Horala. “The facility in Poznań is the first of PANSA’s investments in infrastructure, it is also a place where technologies used at all airports in Poland and, I hope, in the world will be developed,” Horala continued.
Polands Deputy Foreign Minister, Szymon Szynkowski aka Sęk, added: “Poland’s position on the global aviation market is getting stronger. This is not only due to more flights and destinations, but also to the development of the entire aviation sector. I am glad that thanks to this investment Poznań is becoming a bright spot on the map of technological aviation innovations.”
Covering almost 10,000 sqm the facility features two twin server rooms, has 50 sleeping capsules and can accommodate teams of controllers, technicians and programmers . It is equipped with two independent power supplies from the power grid and two power generators of 1.5 MW each, which could supply a medium-sized city with electricity, and is protected by the UPS systems with batteries. It also has a gas extinguishing system for ATC equipment, five heat pumps with a 240kW ground heat exchanger using 35 200m wells ensuring ecological and self-sufficient power supply as well as a car charging station and a bicycle room.
Alongside the The investment in the ATC centre is part of the overall construction plans for the CPK which will also feature a conventional tower, with remote technology using the new control centre in Poznań being used as an emergency solution. It is also hoped that Poznań’s ATC centre will also benefit all regional airports in Poland.
