Airservices Australia is progressing with plans to launch the country's first digital air traffic control towers, beginning at Western Sydney Airport in 2025. The system will then expand to other locations including Canberra. These towers will replace traditional panoramic windows with advanced digital screens. However, for safety and security reasons, controllers will still be required to work from designated control centres rather than remotely.
This change is part of Airservices’ wider strategy to modernise operations and handle future growth in aviation without a major increase in staffing. The digital towers will use an integrated system of cameras and sensors to deliver real-time visuals of the airfield to off-site facilities, where controllers can manage air operations. Similar systems are already in use across Sweden, Germany, Norway and the UK.
Digital towers are also planned for up to five additional airports. Canberra will be the first location in the world to use this technology for remote cross-runway operations. Other airports under consideration include Ballina-Byron Bay, Essendon and several in north Queensland. Despite not being physically present at the airports they manage, controllers cannot work from home due to strict security measures and the fact that necessary infrastructure exists only at specific control hubs.
Australia's air traffic control workforce has exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and 60 new recruits are expected to join in the 2026 financial year to help support this transition. However, the sector continues to face challenges. Staffing shortages date back to the pandemic, when over 140 experienced controllers left the industry. Global competition for skilled personnel remains high, especially as countries in the Middle East offer attractive conditions to lure talent.
The move to digital towers could bring greater efficiency and scalability to the aviation sector, but success will depend on careful implementation. While the technology holds promise, pilot sites like Canberra face added complexity due to their intricate runway configurations. Industry bodies are calling for thorough training and phased rollouts to uphold safety standards throughout the transition.
