THE local aviation sector is now in a better position to manage its airspace and the safety of air traffic, as the Automatic Dependence Surveillance Broadcast Project was launched on Thursday by Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, along with officials from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
This project is part of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) global plan for the seamless transition of flights through the world’s airspace.
At its launch, Minister Benn said the project is indeed a significant achievement for the transport sector, moreso the aviation sector, as the demands have been growing over the years.
“It may have not been particularly noted that our choice for this project over radar represents a saving of US$20 million. This project afforded us that window of opportunity, as it went along with the ICAO standards in relation to flight monitoring and surveillance,” Minister Benn noted.
The Minister pointed out that this project now provides a more advanced means of air surveillance and air safety. Currently, the aviation sector manages the air space while depending mainly on procedural activities, and heavily so on the engagement training of air traffic controllers on radio sets.
Against this backdrop, Minister Benn said this new monitoring system represents a great leap forward to a new level in regard to the aviation sector managing its air space and traffic.
“We know it has been implemented in other countries, and it affords seamless interface between other countries as it will allow for efficient, safe and comprehensive operation and a better overall management of the air safety control,” the Minister posited.
Minister Benn also welcomed this initiative against the backdrop that, over the years, there has been a significant increase in domestic flights in the local airspace, as well as increase in international air traffic.
“I’m pleased that, by the end of this year, we would have more than doubled the number of operating assets in terms of air traffic; and we have to manage those operations,” Minister Benn said.
Hence, he deemed it important to boost the surveillance and safety capabilities of the sector; moreso on the domestic level, as this would further ensure the domestic space remains safe, efficient and economical.
Minister Benn further encouraged those in the sector to make optimum use of the system.
Meanwhile, the GCAA Chairman, Mr. Zulfikar Mohamed, who gave an overview of the system and its operation, noted that the project was in the making since 2008, as the sector was working towards further enhancing its capabilities.
“Since we were formed, it was always our intention to modernise the air navigation services; and it would be in requirements of having up-to-date, state-of-the-art equipment to replace those that we have that are pretty much outdated; and then again, to keep abreast of technology and further to develop our capacity and capability in providing air traffic and air navigation service to the local and international operation,” Mohammed said.
He noted that the demand for improved capability grew as, over the years, and moreso over the last decade, air traffic in Guyana has more than doubled.
While all the components for the maximum utilisation of this project are not in place, already several critical pieces of equipment have been sourced.
“In 2008, we replaced several (pieces of) equipment that we had. We later acquired navigation equipment, landing equipment. To continue it (upgrade), we are introducing the surveillance equipment,” he disclosed.
Mohamed also pointed out that, with introduction of this system, Guyana is now on par with Australia, United States, Europe, Brazil, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Peru.
The system will be fully operational within another three years, as emphasis will be placed on training of persons in the interim. (GINA)
