African aviation stakeholders are to meet on the platform of Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (Canso),
to discuss air navigation management, as the African union pushes for open skies.
to discuss air navigation management, as the African union pushes for open skies.
The meeting of more than 30 countries would in Kenya next week.
The
meeting will bring together civil aviation heads from more than 30
African countries, who are part of the technical committee on the Open
Skies negotiations.
meeting will bring together civil aviation heads from more than 30
African countries, who are part of the technical committee on the Open
Skies negotiations.
The
participants will be pushing for the harmonisation of the continent’s
air navigation systems as part of the Open Skies initiative.
participants will be pushing for the harmonisation of the continent’s
air navigation systems as part of the Open Skies initiative.
“We
are hoping to have discussions around Africa’s goal of attaining a
universally safe, technically interoperable, procedurally harmonised,
efficient and affordable
air transport system in Africa,” said Gilbert Kibe, director general of
the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
are hoping to have discussions around Africa’s goal of attaining a
universally safe, technically interoperable, procedurally harmonised,
efficient and affordable
air transport system in Africa,” said Gilbert Kibe, director general of
the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The
meeting will be chaired by Hamza Johari, the director general of the
Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), who is the chair of Canso.
meeting will be chaired by Hamza Johari, the director general of the
Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), who is the chair of Canso.
The
discussions are expected to feature Africa’s air traffic management
safety, the influence of technology as an enabler, and efficiency and
effectiveness on
the continent.
discussions are expected to feature Africa’s air traffic management
safety, the influence of technology as an enabler, and efficiency and
effectiveness on
the continent.
The
meeting will also discuss the integration of remotely piloted systems
(RPAS), or drones, into current and evolving air traffic management
systems, while
ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations.
meeting will also discuss the integration of remotely piloted systems
(RPAS), or drones, into current and evolving air traffic management
systems, while
ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations.
South Africa and Rwanda have successfully integrated drones within their air navigation systems.
“It
will be a perfect learning opportunity for some of us, especially
Kenya, which is struggling with regulation. We will hear from our peers
in Kigali and Johannesburg
on how they integrated the drones into their systems and their
experiences so far,” Mr Kibe said.
will be a perfect learning opportunity for some of us, especially
Kenya, which is struggling with regulation. We will hear from our peers
in Kigali and Johannesburg
on how they integrated the drones into their systems and their
experiences so far,” Mr Kibe said.
Last
week, Kenya announced that it would ban the use of drones until
parliament ratifies regulations to guide their importation and use, a
potential setback
for the use of the remotely controlled aircraft for humanitarian,
health and wildlife conservation.
week, Kenya announced that it would ban the use of drones until
parliament ratifies regulations to guide their importation and use, a
potential setback
for the use of the remotely controlled aircraft for humanitarian,
health and wildlife conservation.
Two
months ago, Kenya’s parliament declined to ratify the Remotely Piloted
Aircraft Systems Regulations, 2017 citing concerns over some clauses in
the proposed
regulation.
months ago, Kenya’s parliament declined to ratify the Remotely Piloted
Aircraft Systems Regulations, 2017 citing concerns over some clauses in
the proposed
regulation.
Technology
in air navigation management is disrupting the way Africa civil
aviation regulators are doing business, with discussions shifting
towards innovative
air traffic tower solutions.
in air navigation management is disrupting the way Africa civil
aviation regulators are doing business, with discussions shifting
towards innovative
air traffic tower solutions.
“Remote,
digital and virtual towers could revolutionise the air traffic control
industry by reducing the need for physical control towers, expanding the
number
of locations receiving services, increasing operating hours and
improving continuity of services delivered,” Mr Kibe said.
digital and virtual towers could revolutionise the air traffic control
industry by reducing the need for physical control towers, expanding the
number
of locations receiving services, increasing operating hours and
improving continuity of services delivered,” Mr Kibe said.
In
May, 25 countries that signed to the Single African Air Transport
Market (SAATM) met in Togo where they pushed for the signing of a
memorandum on co-operation
between African Civil Aviation Policy, as the executing agency and
regional economic blocs, including the EAC.
May, 25 countries that signed to the Single African Air Transport
Market (SAATM) met in Togo where they pushed for the signing of a
memorandum on co-operation
between African Civil Aviation Policy, as the executing agency and
regional economic blocs, including the EAC.
