Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, contributed to the relative safety enjoyed in the aviation sector in 2013.The new Air Traffic Management system deployed under the TRACON project by NAMA has greatly improved the safety of the Nigerian airspace.
The TRACON project was completed in July 2011 with approach radar control in Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port-Harcourt but by 2013, Area Radar commenced in Lagos and Kano ACCs. This has significantly increased airspace capacity for the Nigerian aviation industry.
Speaking about the TRACON project, the Spokesman of the Aviation Parastatals, Mr Yakubu Dati said: “The introduction of the terminal radar control in addition to the en-route phase of flight enabled reduced separation minima for aircraft, thus, helping airlines save on flight times and fuel consumption which has significantly reduced their operational cost in return.”
“Before July 2011, control tower solar power for navigational aids was unavailable. However, 11 control towers have been successfully deployed and 6 navigational aids was made available in 2013. There is also the AIS Automation which was not implemented before July 2011 but is on-going and has reached 65% completion as at October 2013.”
“In addition to the ample transformation, the WGS-84 survey which was on-going for years has been completed with 22 airports surveyed and GNSS procedure drawn for Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports.”
Through the TRACON project in 2013, a major milestone was also recorded in search and rescue. This development was enhanced through the real-time radar playback which was made available through the TRACON project.
Most of this achievements recorded were as a result of the Aviation Master Plan otherwise known as the Aviation Road Map, a driving concept created by the Aviation Minister.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/aviation-2013-tracon-project-makes-positive-impact/
