An Agreement between Estonian ANS and Schmid Telecom AG (Switzerland) on upgrading the Voice Communication System of Tallinn Air Traffic Control Centre was signed on 17 February 2010.

Within the frames of the Agreement the existing equipment will be replaced by a new, third generation system, which is planned to be put into operation in August-September 2010.

The main task of the Voice Communication System – VCS – is to integrate all the direct aviation channels (both incoming and outgoing) of the air traffic control centre as well as the information channels of the emergency notification system  into a common system and provide air traffic controllers with user-friendly connections.

On 23 December 2009 an Agreement was signed between Estonian ANS and Thales Air Systems S.A. on the complete upgrade of the air traffic management system for Tallinn Air Traffic Control Centre.

The system modernisation costs nearly 100 million kroon – it is the biggest signed contract in the history of Estonian ANS. The preparation for the system upgrade agreement to be signed has taken almost 18 months. The system installation, testing, training of users and engineers will take about two years; the modernised systems shall be in use in February 2012.

The process has started from Tartu aerodrome: it is planned to commence the provision of services by Estonian ANS from 15.01.2010 at the latest.

According to the existing plans the entire handover process will take one year beginning from the frame agreement conclusion date.

Today SESAR Joint Undertaking signed agreements with 16 partners in the Air Traffic Management sector.

SESAR Joint Undertaking is a “Public-Private Partnership” between EU, Eurocontrol, ANS Providers and industries with the aim to harmonise the future European ATM System in order to meet the growing demands on safety, environment, capacity and reduced costs.