Hungarians announce operation of new ATC system, but its adoption will not be without problems

Published: 12/6/1999

According to Istvan Mudra, acting Head of the traffic control department of Hungary"s Air Traffic and Airport Administration (LRI), a new civil ATC system, designed to handle the huge increase in air traffic, will come into operation on 10th December 1999. Until 20th December, it will run alongside the old ATC centre. If the trial run proves successful, both approach and area control will then be handled using the Eurocat 2000 system, as part of the Matias (Magayr Automated and Integrated Air Traffic Control System) programme, which will allow integrated civilian and military ATC. The LRI, which was applauded for its management of the extra traffic in the region generated during the Balkan crisis, has come under fire owing to an increase in safety-related incidents. It has also been reported that Hungarian air traffic controllers are refusing to operate the Mathias system until their salaries are increased. Low morale, attributed to “lack of leadership and weak regulatory controls as well as political lobbying of the controller"s association" is also said to be undermining the project. The LRI has witnessed the arrival and departure of three Director Generals since May. Its management problems have resulted in Hungary failing to make progress on the internal Safety Managements Organsiation requirements of the EU and Eurocontrol"s Safety Regulation Commission, applicable to all countries signed up to the European Civil Aviation Council (ECAC), with its aim of harmonising air traffic management safety standards. LRI launched the Matias programme in 1993, at a cost to date of ECU 40m (HUF 8 billion). The programme is supplied by Airsys ATM, a joint venture of Siemens-Thomson. It is funded by an ECU 20m loan, granted by the EIB, HUF 1 billion from the central budget and from LRI"s internal resources. Further investments amounting to ECU 2 billion will be needed to complete the programme by 2001, if indeed this timetable remains realistic with so many related issues unresol

Article ID: 1167