‍HARJUMAA — The Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS), in cooperation with Frequentis, is making a firm step into the future of aviation to deliver a novel solution for pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight dispatchers to access safety-critical flight information: digital NOTAMs.

What Is NOTAM?

NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is a critical alert issued by local aviation authorities aimed at flight operations-related personnel (pilots, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers). NOTAMs contain information about:

• Runway/taxiway closure or maintenance
• Airspace restrictions or closure
• Navigational equipment outages
• Obstacles or increased bird activity
• Weather-related issues, such as volcanic ash or snow conditions

Pilots are legally required to be familiar with NOTAMs valid on their route before commencing a flight. Unfamiliarity with NOTAMs can be a cause of serious violations or even lead to incidents.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report, the probable cause of the Air Canada Flight 759 incident was identified as the crew's unfamiliarity with NOTAMs, which led to the aircraft nearly landing on a taxiway in San Francisco.

Revolutionary Digital NOTAMs

With the implementation of digital NOTAMs, structured data can be transmitted in real time without risk of manual input error, which results in more accurate flight planning, better situational awareness for pilots, and greater reliability in aviation schedules.

“Digital NOTAMs represent a key milestone on the path to smarter and more automated air traffic operations,” said Josef Kutschi, Managing Director of Frequentis Comsoft.

Benefits of Digital NOTAMs for the Aviation Industry

Implementation of digital NOTAMs is an essential shift with a positive impact on aviation safety, efficiency, and accuracy.

For pilots and air traffic controllers, digital NOTAMs mean well-structured data that will simplify and improve the reception and exchange of crucial aeronautical information, allowing for improved decision-making.

For airlines and airports to allow for more seamless and efficient operations, they need to avoid unnecessary delays and costs coming from these delays. As a result, better coordination and resource planning can be achieved.

For passengers, digital NOTAMs mean increased flight punctuality and greater thrust in safety, even if passengers do not directly see how digital NOTAMs work.

Estonia’s Leading Role in Aviation Modernization

As of January 2026, digital NOTAMs will be mandatory across Europe. Estonia’s proactive approach and early implementation of digital solutions show a dedication to more efficient and safer aviation.

EANS is convinced that integration into the upcoming System Wide Information Management (SWIM) services will benefit its stakeholders - pilots and airlines. SWIM allows efficient information access and interchange between all parties and users of Air Traffic Management (ATM) information and services.

“This cooperation supports our goal to provide faster, more accurate, and higher-quality aeronautical information services – aligned with European requirements and tailored to the needs of our stakeholders,” said Kalmer Sütt, Head of the Aeronautical Information Management Department at EANS.

The ACADIA Project

Cooperation between EANS and Frequentis is a part of the Acceleration of Aeronautical Digital Information Availability (ACADIA) project.

The ACADIA project is a European initiative for air navigation service providers (ANSPs) to closely cooperate to create and implement harmonised digital aeronautical services compliant with European regulations.

Conclusion 

Digital NOTAMs are an essential step towards more efficient and resilient operations and enhanced safety. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of utilizing modern, innovative technologies to drive the positive development of the aviation industry. 

Proactive cooperation between Frequentis and EANS demonstrates that the transformation towards digital NOTAMs is being taken seriously in Europe, with ANSPs dedicated to continuously improving and enhancing safety and efficiency in European skies.