NAV Portugal has guided in all the attendees at Airspace World not only to Lisbon but also to their stand in Hall 2, H2800.
It’s the first time the company has exhibited for many years, but the enriching experience has brought about extensive networking opportunities. The company reports that new suppliers have contacted them as have other air navigation service providers (ANSP) in search of best practice. In Portugal, for example, air traffic and airports were under one company until they were separated in 1999. Other ANSPs going through a similar transformation have sought out the lessons learned.
NAV Portugal has also been displaying its solutions to some of the challenges it faces daily, again showcasing its innovative and collaborative approach. At Lisbon, traffic is growing at about 7-8% per year and there are some 40 movements per hour constantly throughout the day. To mitigate possible problems, it has implemented a new arrival sequencing resulting in a 30% reduction in delays.
Looking further ahead, NAV Portugal – a member of the COOPANS Alliance – is also working with fellow alliance members and Thales on new air traffic control technology.
NAV Portugal also deals with one of the most notorious landings in the aviation world at Madeira. The island’s position means it is subject to several climate systems and winds are a constant challenge. To combat this, NAV Portugal is exploring how accurate real-time wind readings can be passed on to pilots to improve safety and capacity. The aim is to reevaluate wind limitations, which were imposed on the airport by the regulator some 40 years ago.
NAV Portugal is also working on improvements in the Azores, notably runway incursion alerts.