Airservices Australia will upgrade both Cairns and Gold Coast towers with digital technology over the next two years.
The two airports will be included in a $20 million project to install Integrated Tower Automation Suite (INTAS) in four towers, the other two being Perth and Brisbane.
INTAS is already operating in Broome, Rockhampton, Adelaide and Melbourne.
The new technology is expected to improve operations at Cairns and Gold Coast airports by introducing a dedicated Airways Clearance Delivery frequency without the need to increase the number of controllers.
Airservices Executive General Manager Projects and Engineering, Mark Rodwell said that INTAS brought together into one digital suite the operational information and systems previously provided by numerous computer screens and paper-based systems.
“By transitioning away from a manual, paper based system, controllers are able to concentrate more on the visual surveillance of the airport and aircraft, which supports increased situational awareness and enhanced safety,” he said.
“We are in an excellent position to manage the transition to new digital tower technology and to minimise any potential disruption to operations, including through the experience gained during the first phase of this program."
Gold Coast tower will be next to be fitted with INTAS which is expected to be completed by the end of 2015, and commissioned into service during the second quarter of 2016. Perth, Cairns and Brisbane towers will follow in turn at approximately six monthly intervals.