IATA BRINGS FULL SATELLITE NAVIGATION PROCEDURES TO CAPE VERDE

IATA and ASA, S.A., the Airport and Air Navigation Service Provider in the Republic of Cape Verde, signed an agreement on 25 June 2001 to implement Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Procedures at 8 airports in the island nation.

Pierre J. Jeanniot, IATA Director General and CEO, said “We are very pleased that the authorities in Cape Verde and IATA will be working together to develop up-to-date satellite-based procedures that will enhance air safety and significantly improve the efficiency of air transport within the Islands of Cape Verde. Given Cape Verde’s strategic location, this project will also assist the reliability of overflying traffic crossing the Atlantic.”

ASA President of Board, Mario Paixão Silva Lopes said “This project is another result of the fruitful cooperation that is characteristic of the relationship between ASA and IATA. We are very pleased that following completion, we will become the first state in Africa with GNSS procedures at all of its airports.”

As part of the project, IATA and its partner, Innovative Solutions International, will be conducting geodetic (WGS-84) surveys, developing the procedures and publishing the respective charts, preparing draft regulations and conducting training of the aviation officials to ensure a smooth technology transfer. The first survey teams are to start work in July, with completion of the project expected by the end of 2001.

The project will be financed partly by ASA and by the users of the airspace and will be similar to the project being conducted by IATA for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which started in March. When completed later this year, the Cap Verde project will provide the 8 airports with accurate GNSS arrival, approach and departure procedures.