Digital Tower Technology Coalition Pushing Remote ATC

Building on growing support for the use of digital and remote towers in the U.S., a group of aviation stakeholders has formed the Digital Tower Technology Coalition to advocate for the implementation across the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS), the organization announced Wednesday morning. Comprising U.S. airports, regional partners,  technology developers and integrators, and other stakeholders, the coalition has laid out a series of priorities to help guide the safe implementation of such technology.

These towers enable air traffic controllers to remotely service airports through the use of digital equipment, with a series of cameras that provide a real-time, high-definition, 360-degree view of the runways and surrounding airspace. The FAA had pilot programs underway in Leesburg, Virginia, and Fort Collins, Colorado, to test the technologies, but shelved those projects earlier this decade after deciding the agency needed to establish standards for these towers. After that, the program seemingly languished as remote towers began to take root in multiple locations in Europe, with the largest remote tower center in Norway managing more than a dozen separate airfields.

However, in the U.S., remote digital towers are once again gaining momentum, particularly in light of a congressional mandate included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, directing the FAA to establish a formal program and publish clear milestones for the design and operational approval. Since then, new projects have been in the works, such as at Winter Haven Regional Airport/Gilbert Field in Florida. In addition, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Orlando International, and Kansas City International use digital technologies to replace conventional ramp towers.

“I’m excited to see the formation of the Digital Tower Technology Coalition, which represents a bold commitment to innovation across the National Airspace System,” said Rinaldi Consultants’ Richard Kennington, a 25-year air traffic controller who was speaking on behalf of the coalition.  

Touting cost-saving benefits and the ability to extend ATC services to communities of all sizes through remote digital towers, Kennington added, “From major hubs to the smallest zip codes, this technology strengthens access to safe and sustainable air travel nationwide. It has the potential to be one of the most transformative advancements to the NAS since the introduction of automation, redefining how we manage, connect, and protect America’s skies.”

According to the coalition, remote towers enhance safety at non-towered airports without the cost of building traditional towers, cost significantly less to build and maintain than traditional towers, and enable year-round ATC services for rural and seasonal airports. As for the priorities, the coalition is focusing on digital (the technology) and remote tower (the operations) system design and approval, multi-airport management evaluation, expedited deployment to regions with the greatest need, advanced air mobility integration, regulatory improvements, enhanced visual detection tools, workforce development, and federal funding.