Sustainability news

How can remote towers be made even safer? That was the central question of the SAFER (Smart Assistance for Enhanced Remote Tower) research project. The aim was to use an AI model to improve object recognition and tracking in order to further increase aviation safety.

In this joint project between the Frequentis ATM Tower R&D team and Graz University of Technology, the collaboration with the Austrian start-up Responsible Annotation Services proved to be highly successful. The company specialises in data annotation and deliberately relies on a neurodiverse team. An approach that is not only inclusive but also highly accurate.

After just three months, the research project was successfully completed. The new AI model significantly outperformed comparable approaches – performance increased noticeably. Another key result was a detailed manual that ensures the consistency and traceability of data annotation. 

‘With SAFER, we have shown how technological innovation and social responsibility can go hand in hand,’ says Karl Wannenmacher, Chief Technology Officer at Frequentis. ‘The combination of AI expertise and an inclusive approach is a win-win for everyone involved.’

For years, Frequentis has been heavily involved in research projects aimed at improving the environmental compatibility of air traffic. This makes Frequentis an important partner in the SESAR programme, the research programme launched by the European Commission and EUROCONTROL to create a digital European airspace with the aim of making European airspace efficient and environmentally friendly.

In 2025, Frequentis was actively involved in several SESAR initiatives designed to improve the sustainability of aviation. The focus was on the new ATM Masterplan 2025 with the goal of ‘green aviation’. Frequentis was particularly involved in the following areas:

• Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO):
  Development of solutions for more precise flight planning to reduce delays and fuel consumption.
• Environmental optimisation at airports and in the terminal manoeuvring area (TMA):
  Focus on more efficient ground processes, shorter taxiing times and optimised approaches – supported by technologies such as tower automation, remote towers and safety nets.
• Modern ATM architecture (cloud & data centricity):
  Contribution to the transition to modular, cloud-based systems – including the development of components for UTM and ATM.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the United Nations’ global objectives for sustainable development. They provide a framework for promoting social justice, environmental responsibility and economic development worldwide. Frequentis is guided by these goals to ensure the sustainable orientation of the company.

As an internationally active company, Frequentis actively contributes to SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Through innovative solutions, responsible corporate governance and targeted measures, Frequentis is helping to shape a sustainable future. Read more about this here.

See also Home - United Nations Sustainable Development