Prototype countdown system to gain AI capabilities in next-gen rollout

Singapore is testing a new air traffic control tool designed to improve runway safety and efficiency, with artificial intelligence capabilities set to be integrated into the country’s next-generation air navigation system later this decade.

Prototype Countdown Tool Under Testing
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, in collaboration with MITRE Asia Pacific Singapore, is trialing a prototype tool that automates calculations for safe aircraft departures.

The system determines the precise time and distance required for two aircraft to depart consecutively while maintaining safe separation standards.

Rundown Clock For Controllers
The tool generates a visual countdown clock in the control tower, indicating the exact time gap needed before a second aircraft can take off.

According to CAAS director of air traffic services Vincent Hwa, controllers can authorize departures once the countdown reaches zero, giving them greater safety assurance while optimizing runway usage.

Managing Wake Turbulence Risks
A key function of the tool is managing wake turbulence, the air distrbance created by a preceding aircraft.

There are 49 permutations of minimum separation requirements based on aircraft type. Required time gaps range from 60 to 180 seconds.

For example, a wide-body Boeing B777 followed by a narrow-body Airbus A320 requires a 100-second gap, while an Airbus A380 followed by a Boeing B737-300 requires 160 seconds.

Improving Consistency And Capacity
A 2020 study found that controllers in Singapore sometimes applied longer time gaps than necessary and that safety durations varied among individuals.

By standardizing calculations, the tool aims to improve consistency, enhance safety, and maximize runway and airspace capacity at Changi Airport.

AI Integration In Next-Generation System
Although the current prototype does not yet include artificial intelligence, CAAS plans to incorporate AI capabilities into the broader next-generation air navigation system slated for rollout in the second half of the 2020s.

Angela Ng, CAAS director of aviation industry, noted at the Singapore Airshow 2026 that controllers globally still rely heavily on human judgment to assess aircraft separation.

Automation To Handle Traffic Growth
Simon Hocquard, director-general of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, said automation will be crucial in managing surging air traffic demand.

He emphasized that moving from a reactive, tactical environment toward more strategic, technology-driven planning can significantly increase system capacity, provided countries coordinate investments.

Singapore’s new air traffic separation tool reflects a broader push toward automation and AI-driven aviation management. By standardizing departure intervals and preparing for AI integration, CAAS aims to enhance safety and expand runway capacity as regional air travel grows. For Indonesians and Singaporeans observing aviation developments, the initiative highlights how technology investment is becoming essential to sustaining Southeast Asia’s expanding air connectivity.

Sources: Straits Times (2026)

Keywords: Vincent Hwa, Angela Ng, MITRE Asia Pacific, Wake Turbulence Separation, Next Generation Air Navigation