Kansas City Airport to Enhance Safety of Airfield Operations with Saab's Virtual Ramp Control System

(16 Mar 2022, 11:31 +07)  Saab has been awarded a contract from the Kansas City Aviation Department for a Virtual Ramp Control System (VRCS) at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) for its New Terminal which is currently under construction.

The VRCS will coordinate the movement of aircraft between the airport’s movement area, controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), and non-movement area, controlled by the airport.

Using two centralized camera houses and additional distributed cameras, ramp controllers at MCI will have full digital visibility to coordinate traffic flow between all the gates and aircraft parking aprons.

Saab Digital Tower

Camera views will be integrated into Saab’s Aerobahn Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) platform and facilitate orderly coordination between the FAA Ground Control crews, airline operations, MCI airport operations, deicing operations and MCI snow removal crews.

The turnkey system, to be implemented in three phases, is scheduled to be completed in 2023, when a 5-year ramp control service period begins.

The ramp control services will be provided through Saab's partner, Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc.

“Saab has pioneered the use of Digital Ramp Control with the combination of a virtual out-the-window view paired with our industry leading Aerobahn suite,” said Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab in the U.S. “With a similar implementation at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Saab’s Digital Ramp Control solution delivers increased traffic efficiencies, streamlined communications between key stakeholders, and a significant cost savings to both airlines and airports.”

This project supports MCI’s ongoing construction project to replace three aging terminals with one new single terminal and parking garage, also targeted for completion in the beginning of 2023.

The new single terminal will include 39 gates, improve the airport configuration to accommodate more efficient aircraft movements, expand waiting areas and amenities, and improve the passenger flow throughout the airport and parking areas.