Air traffic industry is on the right track to recovering the gains it had lost due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director-General Emile Nguza said the sector is emerging from the devastating effects of the pandemic in 2020.
He said: “I am proud to announce we have been recovering fast and soon will be having more air traffic than before the pandemic.”
Nguza says passenger safety is of paramount importance and there cannot be any compromise in that aspect.
“This requires us to be prepared to put our best foot forward, and I am confident that our Air Traffic Controllers are up to the task,” he pointed out, saying the pandemic led to dwindling traffic and heavy economic losses.
Nguza said the post pandemic time comes at a moment when the whole world is celebrating 100 years since the Air Traffic Control profession was established.
Speaking at a Mombasa hotel during the 33rd International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA) Africa and Middle East Regional Meeting and marking 100 years of Air Traffic Control and Safety in the continent and Middle East, Nguza urged members to ensure continued success in their objective of efficiently managing air safety.
He said the emergence of COVID 19 in the year 2020 rolled back many of the gains that had been made prior to the pandemic, but assured the sector is recovering fast and soon, and will be having more air traffic than the number before the pandemic.
The KCAA boss said it has been a great journey marked by tremendous growth in technology and in the impact that the service contributes to the worldwide aviation system.
Speaking during the same forum Ann Gitau of Air Navigation Services at KCAA said they are proud to offer the services to the aviation community by ensuring safe, secure and efficient air traffic service that facilitates air navigation for international air transport.
She added the regional meeting allows them to reflect on the journey of the Kenyan air traffic controller and passengers.
Fateh Bekhti executive Vice President of International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA) says airports should leverage on new technologies to drive revenues and enhance safety of passengers and air traffic controllers.
Bekhti said: “New technologies are expected to contribute substantially to the ability to grow capacity, improve air traffic controllers’ productivity, maintain maximum safety levels, and ease the environmental impacts of air traffic.”
KATCA President cum Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joshua Ngere said they are proud to offer the services to the aviation community by ensuring safe, secure and efficient air traffic service that facilitates air navigation for international air transport.
He added the regional meeting allows them to reflect on the journey of the Kenyan air traffic controller.
Ngere said since joining the IFATCA the trajectory of their profession has had an upward trend.
By Mohamed Hassan
