TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa International Airport (TPA) has received a significant safety upgrade with the installation of the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system, provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This advanced technology enhances ground safety by using automatic dependent surveillance broadcasting to monitor aircraft and vehicles on taxiways and tarmacs.
Tampa is among the first airports in the U.S. to implement this system.
Aviation Expert Mark Weinkrantz praised the initiative, stating, “This gives the controller in the tower much more timely information to see what might be an incursion.”
Passengers also welcomed the upgrade, with Tanja Scherf remarking, “I think it’s awesome. I think that any technology that makes traffic safer is a good thing.”
The FAA said it is aiming to deploy SAI at 18 airports by early next year, addressing runway safety concerns highlighted by 1,760 incursions reported in 2023.
Weinkrantz says he's not certain why TPA was chosen as one of the first airports to receive the new technology since there have not been unusual issues with near collisions.
It more likely, he says, has to do with addressing visibility challenges.
“Definitely, the weather plays a factor here in Tampa between rain and fog,” Weinkrantz said. “And we can use this system here as much as anywhere in the country.”