Summer Travel Safety: FAA Introduces New Airfield Surveillance Systems at Four Airports Including Austin-Bergstrom International

In response to the projected increase in summer travel traffic, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced new airfield surveillance systems aimed at reducing the risk of runway incidents. These systems are designed to enhance the situational awareness of air traffic controllers by providing a display of surface traffic at airports that do not currently have a surface surveillance tool.

Starting June 30, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will be among four airports in the nation to implement this new technology. Aircraft and ADS-B equipped vehicles will appear as icons on an airport map, showing runways, taxiways, hold ramps, and other relevant areas. This will provide controllers with a more comprehensive view of the airport’s activity and help them make more informed decisions about aircraft movements.

The FAA has noted that the summer travel season of 2024 is projected to be the busiest in almost 15 years. To protect travelers during this increased traffic, the FAA has put in place multiple safety measures, with these new surveillance systems serving as an additional safety layer. By providing controllers with real-time information about aircraft movements and ground activity, these systems will help prevent accidents and ensure safe operations at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

In May 2024, Austin airport saw its busiest month ever in terms of passenger traffic, with almost 2.07 million passengers passing through. This marked the sixth month in the airport’s history to see over 2 million passengers, following July 2023, October 2023, May 2022