The Searidge Technologies Digital Apron and Tower Management System (DATMS) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has successfully passed all acceptance and reliability testing of its phase one implementation. The system is now ready to support operations  this year.
Searidge and its local partner Chinney Alliance Engineering were selected by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), through a global open tender, to deploy a single digital tower and apron platform to support their airport transformation and large- scale expansion plans at HKIA.
Over the past 15 months, Searidge delivered its ultra-resolution (4K) DATMS, which included the Digital Apron Management System (DAMS) for the airport (AAHK) and Digital Tower Facilities (DTF) for the air navigation service provider (Civil Aviation Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (CAD)). By collaborating to leverage a common software platform, technical infrastructure and video image system, synergies were created that resulted in efficiency and safety gains for both operations.
With over 240 camera sensors, 120 working positions and LED theatre video wall integration for phase one and two implementations, DATMS is the world’s largest and most complex Digital Tower and Digital Apron implementation. Built on the Searidge open technology platform, the system also integrates data from various ATC and airport operations systems from CAD and AAHK.
The DTF at the HKIA are implemented based on the latest international standards and guidance which aims to enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness of tower controllers at both existing and new ATC towers.
After the launch of phase one of DATMS, phase two of the project will continue to expand the system coverage to the new second terminal and implement additional advanced features incorporating low-level integration with the new integrated tower system and advanced automation applications based on Searidge’s artificial intelligence framework, Aimee.
“DATMS is the industry’s first collaboration between an airport and ANSP for a single Digital Tower and Apron platform; and will showcase how a common technology platform allows the sharing of data to create extensive benefits for its stakeholders,” explains Moodie Cheikh, CEO and Co-founder, Searidge Technologies. “We are honoured to be working with the AAHK and the CAD teams to build a solid foundation to support current operations, and for future development and growth of the digital aviation ecosystem in Hong Kong.”

Image via Searidge Technolgies