COOPANS, an international partnership between six air navigation service providers (ANSPs), has upgraded its air traffic control (ATC) system with the help of Thales
The CEOS of the six ANSPs and COOPANS alliance board chair Philipp Piber met at Thales Headquarters to launch the next phase of ATM system modernisation in Europe, paving the way for the implementation of the system upgrade TopSky-ATC One.
This upgrade will enable COOPANS to improve air traffic management in Europe through advanced features that will lead to a better and faster coordination, and more precise decision-making for air traffic controllers, allowing them to handle more flights. The enhanced user interface will provide clearer visualisation of essential information and optimised ergonomics to streamline operations.
The upgraded system will strengthen the integration of radar data and flight plans, enabling better surveillance and greater accuracy in detecting aircraft trajectories. The advanced real-time decision support capabilities will facilitate the management of complex situations, improving the safety and productivity of air operations.
With this upgrade COOPANS is moving forward in line with the European Union’s Single European Sky (SES) project, which aims to harmonise and optimise air traffic management across Europe, creating a single, efficient airspace.
“By partnering with Thales, COOPANS will enhance interoperability, efficiency, and safety in air traffic management. Together, we are shaping the future of airspace, advancing toward a more integrated and sustainable system in line with the ambitious objectives of the Digital European Sky project,” said Christian Rivierre, VP airspace mobility solutions, Thales.
The system upgrade is currently in the development phase. Until 2028, hardware deployment, software integration, and intensive validations will take place in parallel, along with operational and technical training. The implementation of the upgraded system in COOPANS is planned in three waves from 2028 to 2030.
