The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is one of four airports nationwide to receive new technology aimed at reducing the risk of runway incursions. The Surface Awareness Initiative system will allow air traffic controllers to have a detailed view of where aircraft and other vehicles are located on a map throughout the airport, improving situational awareness and reducing the chance of accidents.
This announcement comes after safety concerns regarding the air traffic control tower at ABIA, following multiple near-misses in the past two years. In January, ABIA became the first airport to receive a tower simulator system to support air traffic controller training. The FAA is committed to enhancing safety at airports nationwide by increasing air traffic controller hiring, bringing upgraded tower simulator systems to at least 95 airports by 2025, holding runway safety meetings, and investing in runway lighting and surface improvements.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker expressed his commitment to making runways even safer by implementing cost-effective technology that provides controllers with accurate depictions of aircraft and vehicles on the airfield in all weather conditions. The Surface Awareness Initiative system will be rolled out at the four airports by July, with plans to introduce it to other airports by the end of 2025.
