SOA Agencement wins Marseille airport control room contract [video].

The contract to fit out the technical command center at Marseille airport has been awarded to SOA, specialists in the organization and layout of ergonomic workspaces.

Its role is to develop and define the air traffic management system, to meet the growing level of air traffic in Marseille.

To achieve this, SOA and its team of designers and organization specialists have to take into account the requirements of the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) project, as part of the Single European Sky program.

Marseille airport: an air hub in the making

Built in 1922, Marseille's airport, known as Marseille-Provence airport, with the IATA code MRS, serves the city of Marseille and neighboring towns.

It's an air hub in the making, served by 33 airlines linking the city with over 120 destinations in 34 countries.

Given the importance of this airport, France's 5th largest nationally and 3rd largest regionally, passenger numbers have been growing steadily for several years, so that in 2019, 10 million passengers passed through Marseille-Provence airport.

Hence the importance of having a high-performance command center, enabling compliance with Regulation (EU) No. 716/2014, which defines a plan called PCP (Pilot Common Project).

The aim is to facilitate the coordination and synchronization of air traffic management functions.

Building a high-performance operations center at Marseille airport

In order to implement the SESAR program, which is based on the technological performance essential to the Single European Sky program, the SOA team has to propose developments and set up a command center, based on the ATM (Air Traffic Management) master plan.

The command center

The command center itself will be equipped with the latest digital innovations. In addition to the AirPort Operations Center (APOC), the command center will be equipped with high-performance computers, software for data collection and processing, and other communications media.

APOC will ensure the integration and management of all events and actions contributing to air traffic performance. The information collected will be used to improve air traffic management, through decision-making and real-time monitoring of events on the airport platform.

This command center will make it possible to respond effectively to operational hazards that may affect the airport's performance, including :

• the passenger circuit,
• baggage handling,
• regulating aircraft movements.

This strategic location, designed to control and manage the airport's various activities in a collaborative and proactive manner, will also ensure the management of resources, the safety and security of goods and people, as well as the command of technical facilities, airport access and aircraft management.

Creating a workspace that promotes employee well-being

Given the level of performance demanded of employees, the SOA team must take the human being into account, by offering operators an ergonomic working environment conducive to their well-being. This is why the layout will include :

• a cafeteria with a kitchenette,
• changing rooms and toilets,
• collaborative spaces
• high-performance acoustic treatments
• first-rate thermal comfort.

These spaces will be equipped with comfortable furnishings and accessories to ensure their users' well-being.

SOA's experience in the design and construction of control and supervision rooms will enable it to bring this bold project to fruition.