Thales has been selected by the Egyptian National Air Navigation Services Company (NANSC) to replace and modernise ATM systems at Hurghada and Taba International Airports. The announcement was made at World ATM Congress 2016.

According to NANSC Vice Chairman Hesham Abdel Azim, the project will contribute to NANSC’s mission to provide “safe, orderly, expeditious and efficient air traffic management” within Egyptian airspace — strategically located between the continents of Africa, Europe and Asia.

Under the project, Thales will deploy TopSky - ATC, TopSky - Tower, primary and secondary radar, and communication systems. The projects are intended to increase safety and efficiency, allowing the airports to handle increasing levels of air traffic.

NANSC and Thales have been partners in the modernisation of Egyptian airspace for over 35 years. Over that period, Thales has been involved in many different programmes including the Cairo Air Navigation Centre starting in 1982, and subsequent upgrades in 1998 and 2012. The modernisation of the Emergency System was tested in operation in 2015.

In 2006 and 2007, Thales provided radar stations for Cairo, Assyut, Aswan, Hurghada, Mersah Matruh and Dakhla. In 2009, Thales assisted the Egyptian Aviation Academy by providing an ATC simulator and also supplied a contingency system to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Finally, in 2010, Thales, in cooperation with the Egyptian company Orascom, supplied the Air Traffic Control Tower system for a new Tower at Cairo Airport.