Antalya Airport has begun using the Advanced ATC Tower system, in a first for Turkey, with air traffic data now being sent in real time to the EUROCONTROL network. The move is designed to help manage flight traffic faster, more smoothly and more efficiently, while reducing delays.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the system sends operational data from the control tower directly to EUROCONTROL. That includes pushback, taxi, runway use and takeoff time, giving European air traffic systems live information from the airport.
The rollout makes Antalya the first Turkish airport to adopt the Advanced ATC Tower concept and connect it to Europe’s air traffic network. Authorities said the system should strengthen coordination between airlines and control units during the busy summer season.
Uraloğlu said, “Antalya Airport will be the first Turkish airport integrated into the European air traffic network with the Advanced ATC Tower concept.” He added that the new model would support better management of airport traffic and help reduce delays.
The new system uses both flight plans and real operational data. Officials said that should allow traffic to be managed more effectively, especially during periods of heavy demand, and improve communication between airlines and air traffic control.
Uraloğlu also said the project is supported by the locally developed EFS/DCL infrastructure, created through cooperation between the State Airports Authority and TUBITAK. The system is already active at 35 airports across Turkey, and the government wants to expand it to all airports in the country.
Certification work is also under way at Ankara Esenboga Airport and Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. Both airports are expected to join the system later this year, according to the ministry.
Antalya is one of Turkey’s busiest tourist gateways, and the introduction of the new system comes as the country prepares for another peak travel period. Officials are hoping the technology will improve flow on the ground and in the air at a time when the airport handles heavy international traffic.
The launch marks a wider step in the digitalisation of Turkey’s aviation infrastructure. By linking real-time airport operations with European systems, officials say the technology could offer a more accurate picture of traffic movements and support faster decision-making.
EUROCONTROL is a key part of Europe’s air traffic management system, coordinating traffic flows across the continent. Real-time data sharing from Antalya is expected to help align local airport operations with broader European planning.
Turkey has spent recent years upgrading aviation systems across its airports, with a focus on efficiency and capacity. The Advanced ATC Tower rollout at Antalya is being presented as a model that could be extended more widely if trials and certification are successful.
The ministry said the approach brings together national infrastructure and international aviation data in a single operational process. It hopes that will improve punctuality, reduce congestion and support safer airport management.
