Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has rescinded earlier decision which banned one type of Antonov aircrafts from flying in its airspace.
SCAA has extended AN-26’s permission for over-flight and landing for four months as ban on AN-12, AN-24 and AN-32 remains in place, according to VOA journalist Harun Macruf.
He says the SCAA originally gave four types of Antonovs (AN-24, AN-26, AN-32 & AN-12) until March 15, 2019 to stop over-flights and landing. Since then four of the Antonov planes departed the country.
The decision to rescind ban on AN-26 came in on April 5, according to Harun quoting reliable sources.
Somalia argued that Antonovs not to have approved maintenance centers in the east Africa region where they can be repaired.
It also said the planes lack an air traffic collision avoidance system, and that their noise certification is unacceptable.
But, Antonov denied SCAA argument.
Antonov said AN-26 is certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
It also said availability of a maintenance Center in the region of aircraft’s deployment isn’t an obligatory condition in order to provide for safe operation of Antonovs.
Antonov said aircrafts registered in Ukraine are equipped w Collision avoidance systems (TCAS) and Ground Proximity Warning system.
The noise levels of AN-24, AN-26, AN-32 and AN-12 aircraft do not exceed restrictions of Appendix 16 of the ICAO Convention, Antonov told @i_dossier funded by journalist Harun Macruf.
Antonov admitted that in Africa, “unscrupulous operators” utilize AN-type airplanes w/o concern 4 safety and w/o soliciting support from ANTONOV, and not in compliance w operation manuals.
Such practices caused needless aviation accidents and as a result planes have been blacklisted
Source: mareeg.com
