State ATM Corporation’s Crimea Air Navigation Branch Turns Five

Exactly 5 years ago, after the reunification of Crimea with Russia, it was decided to set up what became State ATM Corporation’s 17^th branch, with the view of providing air traffic services in Simferopol FIR airspace (Republic of Crimea). On 3 April 2014, the Corporation’s structure was complemented by Crimea Air Navigation branch, with an area of responsibility of about 170 thousand square kilometres above the Crimean peninsula as well as the Black and Azov seas.

In its five-year history, the branch has completed considerable work to renovate and construct new ATM infrastructure. CNS facilities, as well as the ATC automation system, have undergone a comprehensive technical upgrade and modernization as part of the Federal Target Programme for the Social and Economic Development of the Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol up to 2022. Today, the ATCOs employed by the branch have Russian industry’s most advanced innovations at their disposal: GALAXY ATC automation system and Sintez automated airspace management system, which allow handling more flights than before. By way of comparison, about 14 thousand flights were handled in 2013 against almost 38 thousand in 2018.

In 2018, the construction of a new tower building was commenced as part of Simferopol aerodrome modernisation. Surface movement radars and a MLAT system are being installed, which will ensure surveillance of traffic in the air as well as on the ground regardless of the weather or time of day.  Crimea Air Navigation branch is developing rapidly and, as an integral part of Russia’s national air navigation services provider, is ready to face any challenges that may emerge.