Burundi takes new measures to improve security in its airspace
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - As part of the implementation of international aviation safety standards, new flight procedures (or air routes), based on satellite guidance and taking into account obstacles in Burundi's airspace, are being finalised, Burundi Civil Aviation Authority (AACB) said in a statement issued on Monday.
Technical assistance is provided by an American company, JEPPESEN, which specializes in this field, the statement said.
New procedures were yet to be calibrated and validated with a "laboratory aircraft" that will fly low over the provinces of Bujumbura, Bubanza and Cibitoke during the week, the AACB said.
These provinces are in the immediate vicinity of Bujumbura International Airport, Burundi's economic capital.
AACB assured the public that these operations will be carried out safely.
According to the Authority, ground equipment must also be calibrated in flight to confirm that they send out correct signals.
The new procedures will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the statement said, adding that aircraft that are not connected to the satellite will continue to use the conventional method.
Burundi's sky is considered to be the least congested in the Great Lakes subregion of Africa and have few incidents.
Bujumbura is the only airport with international standards in Burundi and only four airlines serve the country.
These are Rwandair, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Brussels Airlines.
The national airline, Air Burundi, has only been in operation for a decade.
In the absence of its own planes, Air Burundi offers ground services to foreign airlines.
A secondary airport has been proposed since 2017 for use as an alternate facility in case of hindrance to use Bujumbura.
A 64-hectare land has been set aside for the purpose at Ngozi, the country's third largest city, but its construction is yet to start.
Landlocked Burundi is about 1,000 km from the nearest seaport.
-0- PANA FB/JSG/BBA/AR 2Sept2019
