Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Works and Transport Mr Atupele Mwakibete says the government is planning to expand air navigation services to all areas where it has been observed that traffic is high and the physical presence of air navigation service providers is needed. This is meant to improve safety, which is a top priority for the aviation industry.
He made this known during the National Air Navigation Services Conference held here in the city.
“The government’s efforts on the expansion of air navigation services within the country have not been centred in Dodoma only,” said Mr Mwakibete.
Noting that the government was considering accidents happening in the country as a reminder to do more, he said there are also plans for upgrading and operating in Manyara, Seronera- a small settlement in Serengeti National Park, just to mention a few.
On the question of Dodoma, the government has fully re-located to the city, meaning provision of services to the country’s foreign counterparts and development partners will now be done from there. It is on those grounds that Mr Mwakibete said the government, through the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), is constructing an international airport in the Msalato area.
“This airport will serve as the hub connecting various destinations in and outside the country,” he noted.
That, added Mr Mwakibete, called for the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), and Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) to forecast administrative and manpower needs.
Once the Msalato Airport is operational, he said, services should be fully fledged and provided efficiently and effectively without any excuse.
Mr Mwakibete said there were also plans to extend the hours of service at small airports like Kigoma and Tabora beyond the current 12 hours.
Noting that the government understands that the success of the sector comes with challenges, he said his ministry will keep on supporting aviation authorities in terms of finances and building infrastructure.
Mr Mwakibete said the government will do it like it did with the procurement of the four radars that were installed in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Songwe, and Kilimanjaro regions, making the country’s airspace safer.
He said the ministry also plans to train aviation personnel in different training courses through the Msalato Project and the funds secured through the World Bank.
The theme for this year’s National Air Navigation Services Conference is Enhancing Air Navigation Systems for sustainable aviation industry in Tanzania.
TCAA director general Hamza Johari said technology is the main enabler of the seamless operations concept.
In order to achieve global seamless operations, Mr Johari said, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) came up with global air navigation plan which requires uniform upgrade of airborne systems and air navigation systems including ground based and satellite based systems.
“Uniform upgrade of systems makes the interoperability of systems possible and ensures improved safety and efficiency in air traffic,” he told the conference.
Adding: “New technologies are making aviation more efficient. Improved air traffic control systems are likewise making air travel more efficient by reducing congestion and delays.”
