Airports play a pivotal role in connecting nations, people and economies. Each day, thousands of airplanes take off and land safely worldwide. Air traffic emergencies, whether caused by severe weather, technical malfunctions or human error, continue to pose significant risks. Effective responses to these emergencies are crucial for safeguarding passengers, crew and airport staff.
While airports already have comprehensive emergency protocols in place, the increasing complexity of air traffic and the growth in passenger volumes demand more sophisticated approaches to alerting and managing emergencies. The aviation industry is now looking to more advanced aircraft emergency systems (AES) to enhance safety and efficiency in crisis situations.
ATC towers have traditionally communicated with airport teams via a corded crash phone
Today’s systems
Emergency alerting systems are critical tools in modern airports, helping co-ordinate responses to a variety of scenarios ranging from medical incidents on board an aircraft to full-scale evacuations in case of fire or terrorism. However, the current systems, while functional, often rely on older technologies such as public announcement systems, automated messages and text-based alerts to airport staff.
The challenge with these conventional methods is that they are often slow, non-specific or may fail to reach all relevant parties in real time. Delays in alerting staff and passengers during air traffic emergencies – such as a runway incursion, an aircraft in distress or even a hijacking – can cost precious seconds. Additionally, conventional systems may not be equipped to handle largescale co-ordination between air traffic controllers, ground crews, airport security, emergency medical teams and law enforcement.
The need for advanced systems
Several factors have accelerated the need for better alerting systems. The first of these is the increase in volumes. With more aircraft in the sky and on the tarmac, airports face increased pressure to manage congestion and mitigate risks in real time.
The second is the evolution of security threats to airports. These are no longer limited to mechanical issues or inclement weather. Cybersecurity threats, terrorism and drone intrusions have introduced a new level of complexity to air traffic emergency management.
Finally, there is the ongoing technological evolution. The advent of 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and real-time data analytics has provided a unique opportunity to create more responsive and intuitive alerting systems. These new and emerging technologies have the potential to be harnessed to improve the speed, accuracy and reach of emergency alerts.
Cybersecurity threats, terrorism and drones increasingly complicate air traffic emergency management
How advanced systems work
Advanced emergency alerting systems integrate multiple technologies to deliver precise, targeted and actionable information during an air traffic emergency. These systems work across various platforms – smartphones, wearable devices, digital displays, air traffic control systems and more – ensuring alerts reach everyone who needs to act, regardless of location.
Key features of these systems include real-time situational awareness, geo-fencing and targeted alerts, cross-system integration and multi-channel alerts.
Advanced systems provide a live feed of air traffic, weather conditions and potential threats in and around the airport. Using AI and machine learning, the system can predict potential issues, such as a mid-air collision risk or runway conflict, and alert staff in real time.
Unlike traditional systems that may broadcast a generic alert to the entire airport, advanced systems use geo-fencing technology to send specific alerts to only those individuals who need to act, such as the pilots of an aircraft, a particular airline’s ground crew, or security teams in a specific terminal.
Advanced systems use geo-fencing to send specific alerts to only those who need them, such as firefighting teams
Cross-system integration means advanced alerting systems are integrated with the airport’s traffic management system, air traffic control and external emergency services such as police, fire departments and medical teams. This creates a seamless communication network that ensures all relevant parties are informed and can co-ordinate effectively.
Instead of relying on a single channel (like public announcements), advanced systems distribute alerts across multiple platforms. This includes push notifications to mobile devices, smartwatches, headsets worn by ground crews or even heads-up displays used by air traffic controllers. This ensures no critical alert goes unnoticed, saving crucial time.
By analysing past emergencies and real-time data, AI can make suggestions or automate certain responses. For example, if an aircraft declares an emergency, the system could automatically reroute other airplanes to avoid congestion and direct emergency vehicles to the appropriate location.
Barriers to implementation
While the benefits of advanced emergency alerting systems are clear, barriers to widespread adoption can include cost, regulatory challenges
and technological integration.
Upgrading an entire airport’s emergency alerting system requires an investment in technology, training and infrastructure. Smaller airports or those in developing nations may find it difficult to allocate resources for such systems. Furthermore, the aviation industry is heavily regulated and integrating new technologies requires compliance with national and international standards. This can delay the deployment of new systems, particularly in highly controlled environments like air traffic control. It is also essential that a system meets or even exceeds Federal Aviation (FAA) or similar requirements.
An effective alerting system requires co-ordination across multiple agencies, including local law enforcement, emergency medical services and federal authorities. Ensuring seamless communication between these disparate entities can be challenging, particularly during large-scale emergencies, but a system that integrates with computer-aided dispatch (CAD) programmes and the like can prove invaluable.
Using an advanced emergency alerting system will give the airport time to pre-position fire engines
Tomorrow’s emergency alerts
Despite these challenges, the future of emergency alerting in airports is bright. As real-time data analytics continue to improve, emergency systems will become more intuitive and faster at predicting potential risks. The increasing global emphasis on cybersecurity will likely also lead to more robust systems that protect airports from new and evolving threats.
Ultimately, the integration of advanced emergency alerting systems represents a major step forward in the effort to make air travel safer for everyone. By enhancing real-time communication, improving situational awareness and facilitating better co-ordination among airport teams, these systems will play a crucial role in preventing and mitigating air traffic emergencies in the years to come.
Powerful tool
In an age of increasing air traffic and more complex security challenges, airports must continually adapt to ensure safety. Advanced emergency alerting systems offer the aviation industry a powerful tool to respond to air traffic emergencies more effectively. By embracing innovation, airports can not only react swiftly to crises, but also foresee and mitigate risks before they escalate, ultimately protecting lives and maintaining the trust of travellers worldwide. The future of airport safety lies in the seamless integration of technology, communication and human decision-making – a future that is closer than we think.
Improving real-time communication will make air travel safer for everyone
FURTHER READING: A new-style emergency response
Imagine a scenario where a flight bound for New York experiences severe engine failure shortly after take-off. In a traditional airport set-up, the pilot would declare an emergency to air traffic control, and the tower would relay information to various airport teams (usually via a corded crash phone). Delays and miscommunication could slow the response and increase the risk.
In an airport equipped with an advanced emergency alerting system, the response is drastically different. As soon as the engine failure is detected, and the pilot informs air traffic control, the system automatically alerts relevant personnel – air traffic controllers, runway operations staff, and the emergency services – providing essential data like the aeroplane’s location, status and estimated time of landing. The airport’s traffic management system immediately clears nearby runways, and fire trucks and ambulances are pre-positioned for the aircraft’s arrival. The pilot receives real-time updates about landing paths based on current traffic and weather conditions, making decision-making less stressful.
This heightened level of co-ordination not only minimises chaos, but also significantly increases the chances of a safe resolution to the emergency.
Founded in California in 1975, Westnet specialises in public safety, emergency alerting and dispatch systems. Its solutions include VoIP alerting, touchscreen activation for instant visual and verbal notifications, and secondary crash phone back-up.
As passenger volumes exceed pre-pandemic levels, runway safety is more important than ever
