Luanda – Angola on Tuesday officially launched a 25 million US dollars budgeted project to modernize the national air navigation system to enable better safety levels in the air space, increase the quality of navigation services as well as boost land and air communications, so as to attract more frequent flights in the country.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the country’s Transport minister, Ricardo d'Abreu, said the modernization process is expected to last 18 months and that the country will be able to produce greater volume of regional and international air safety information, and attract more flights in the national airspace to enable investments recovery.
"The execution of this project aims, among others, to increase safety in the airspace and the quality of air navigation services, better communications with aircraft, training of personnel, as well as greater confidence of operators in the use of the national airspace," the minister said.
The minister explained that the modernization includes the acquisition of automatic surveillance systems, the installation and commissioning of mobile communication systems, data communication and navigation aid systems, plus air traffic control simulator for the modernization of the training centre.
Mr Abreu stressed that the implementation of the new equipment will allow the country to increasingly adapt to the requirements of the objectives and strategies of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), regarding the capacity and efficiency of international air navigation.
"Safety, efficiency and good results are what we seek for the country, within the framework of alignment with the sector's best international practices", added the minister.
The ICAO Regional Director, Barry kashambo, said the action is crucial for Angola's air navigation in the southern region and serves as an interface to Europe and South America, adding that the project "will allow Angola to provide a strong navigation service in its space with its domestic airports aligned with the best practices in the aviation sector.
