| SAUDIA ARABIA , ABOUT TO CONCLUDE AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BENIN AND DJIBOUTI

The King Salman authorized the minister of transport and board chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to sign two draft agreements between Saudi Arabia and the governments of Benin and Djibouti in the area of air transport services. The announcement was made last April 24th in a statement released after the monthly ministerial cabinet meeting.

WHICH IS THE AFRICA’S BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY LONGEST RUNWAY?

Airports all across Africa are modernizing their infrastructures. Whether constructed out of asphalt or concrete, runways are getting longer. With fast growing traffic announced, they are set to be at capacity.

NewsAero.info has compiled runway specifications from all international and commercial airports which are operational around the continent.

Data is for April 2017 and sources either from national civil aviation authority database or airport operator information.

The results have crowned Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe as the biggest Africa International airport by longest runway. With a length of 4725 meters, it’s even among the longest in the world.

Here are the top 20 biggest airports in Africa.

1.  Harare International Airport  (  Harare ,  Zimbabwe) : 4725 m
2. N'djili  International Airport ( Kinshasa , Congo ) :  4700 m
3. Hosea Kutako International Airport ( Windhoek , Namibia)  : 4,532 m
4.  O. R. Tambo International Airport (  Johannesburg , South Africa)  4,418 m
5.   Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ( Nairobi ,  Kenya ) : 4117m
6.  Cairo International Airport (Cairo, Egypt) : 4000 m
7. Seretse Khama International Airport ( Gaborone , Botswana) : 4000 m
8. Taba International Airport (Taba, Egypt) : 4000 m
9.  Victoria Falls International  Airport (Victoria, Zimbabwe) :   4000m
10.   Hurghada International Airport (Hurghana, Egypt) : 4000 m
11. Murtala-Muhammed  international Airport (Lagos, Nigeria) : 3900 m
12. Bole  International Airport (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) : 3800 m
13. Mohammed V International Airport (Casablanca, Maroc) : 3720 m
14. Quatro de Fevereiro  International Airport (Luanda, Angola) : 3716 m
15.  King Shaka International Airport ( Durban , South Africa) : 3700m
16. Maputo  international  Airport (Maputo, Mozambique) : 3660 m
17. Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe, Uganda) : 3658 m
18. Kilimanjaro international Airport (Kilimanjaro , Tanzania) : 3607m
19. Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport (Nouakchott, Mauritania) : 3600 m
20. Bujumbura International Airport ( Bujumbura , Burundi) : 3600 m

RANK PER REGION : TOP 5

              Central Africa 

1. N'djili  International Airport ( Kinshasa , RDC) :  4700 m
2. Yaoundé international Airport ( Yaoundé , Cameroun ): 3400 m
3. Maya Maya International Airport ( Brazzaville , Congo ) : 3300 m
4. Lubumbashi International Airport (Lubumbashi, RDC) : 3207 m
5. Léon MBA International Airport (Libreville,  Gabon) : 3000m 

             East Africa

1. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ( Nairobi ,  Kenya ) : 4117m
2. Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) : 3800 m
3. Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe, Uganda) : 3658 m
4. Kilimanjaro international Airport (Kilimanjaro , Tanzania) : 3607m
5. Bujumbura International Airport ( Bujumbura , Burundi) : 3600 m 

           North Africa

1

1. Cairo International Airport (Cairo, Egypt) : 4000 m
2. Taba International Airport (Taba, Egypt) : 4000 m
3. Hurghada International Airport (Hurghana, Egypt) : 4000 m
4. Mohammed V International Airport (Casablanca, Maroc) : 3720 m
5. Tamanrasset International Airport (Tamanrasset, Algeria) : 3600 m

          South Africa

1. Harare International Airport  (  Harare ,  Zimbabwe) : 4725 m
2. Hosea Kutako International Airport ( Windhoek , Namibia)  : 4,532 m
3. O. R. Tambo International Airport (  Johannesburg , South Africa)  4,418 m
4. Seretse Khama International Airport ( Gaborone , Botswana) : 4000 m
5. Victoria Falls International  Airport (Victoria, Zimbabwe) :   4000m

          West Africa

1. Murtala-Muhammed  international Airport (Lagos, Nigeria) : 3900 m
2. Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport (Nouakchott, Mauritania) : 3600 m
3. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja , Nigeria ) :  3600 m
4. Banjul International Airport  ( Banjul , Gambia) : 3600 m
5. Leopold Sedar Senghor  International Airport (Dakar, Senegal)  3490 m 

With a length of 4206 meters, Bugesera International Airport, in construction in the south east of Rwanda will soon join the Top 5 in Africa.

Blaise Diagne international airport in Senegal is planned to be operational by the end of 2017. 3500 meters being its runway length, it will be among the longest runway in the West Africa.

ALGERIA and GABON : bilateral air agreement signed

Algerian national carriers can now fly to Gabon following the signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between Algeria and Gabon on April 20.

The ASA was signed between Algerian Director of civil aviation and meteorology at Ministry of public works and, M SMAIN YOUCEF AZIZI and, Gabonese Director of National Civil Aviation Agency M. DOMINIQUE OYINAMONO in Libreville.

 The agreement grants air traffic rights between the national carriers of both countries in conformity with regulation. The decision to operate on the new route to Libreville will depend on Algerian airlines based on their feasibility studies and commercial viability.

Despite there is no national carrier in Gabon , this agreement may further enhance international air connectivity, bringing both trade and tourism benefits.

CAMEROON/Yaoundé, to host a workshop on Airdrome certification

A regional seminar from Monday 24^th to 28^th April on airdrome certification is being hosted in Yaoundé by Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority.

In partnership with Federal aviation administration experts, over 50 representatives from across the Africa aviation community are debating on ongoing certification process. The participants share experiences and discuss the challenges faced by their respective organizations.

During the opening session, CCAA Director General PAULE ASSOUMOU KOKI stressed that technical personnel who are competent to handle the challenges must be trained to achieve the certification process. “In the process of airdrome certification, it is well known that availability of expensive works and equipment, cannot solve the issue alone. It is important to train human resources” she said.

Airdrome certification is among the safety targets set by Ministerial Conference of aviation in Africa held in Abuja, Nigeria in July 2012 in other to enhance safety standards in Africa. Togo with Lome International Airport is the only airport certified (2014)  among Western  and Central  African countries.

Mali/ Governement reshuffle : A Laywer takes over the new portfolio of transports

Me Baber GANO has been appointed as the new minister of transports. He succeeds TRAORE Seynabou DIOP in government minor cabinet reshuffle on April 11.

Baber GANO, 52,  is a Lawyer with  23 years’experience . He is specialized in areas of criminal and commercial procedure, administrative litigation, electoral disputes and business law.

He is the secretary general of the presidential party RPM. 

Certification of  Président Modibo Keita-Senou International Airport is among his top  priorities , he told a meeting with transport departments directors on Monday.

Ivory Coast :CFA8.5 billion to modernize Abidjan International Airport

AERIA, the concessionary company of Felix Houphouet-Boigny International Airport has agreed a CFA 8.5 billion loans with PROPARCO, a subsidiary of l’Agence  Française  de Développement.

The 11-year maturity loan will contribute to relieve airport congestion and extend its capacity as traffic is increasing.

This support is a part a CFA 41 billion huge investment program initiated by Ivorian Government. It’s aimed at improving the airport’s infrastructure. It includes construction of 10 gates for small and medium aircrafts, extension of Long haul gates and construction of a parallel taxiway enabling the sustainability of traffic during peak hours, authorities explained.

Built in 70s , Felix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport is one of the busiest airport in West Africa with a record capacity of 1.8 million passengers in 2016.

In 2012 , Ivory Coast was granted  with CFA9.2 billion PROPARCO credit with a  view to maintaining Abidjan airport’s  status as key  airport in the region and replacing aging facilities.

Central Africa Republic /Airport facilities : 12 domestic airdromes rehabilitated

Past escalating crises that occurred in CAR have severely damaged the national transport network of this landlocked country. Thanks to LONDO project, twelve airdromes have just been upgraded.

“The airfields of Berberati, Ndélé, Bamingi, Carnot, Bayanga, Nola, Bozoum, Paoua, Markounda, Sibut, Mbres and Kaga Bandoro are now  practicable and the people of our cities rejoice with testimonies " monitoring committee of LONDO project said in a statement.

Speaking with journalists, the National Coordinator of the project LUCIEN JUDICAËL MONTINDAS explained that the refection of airstrips will then easier the logistic work of United Nations and several national and international NGOs which are operating across the country.

Efforts done to upgrade domestic airdromes are appreciable. But they are not yet sufficient to cope with international standards. Bangui Mpoko   Airport is the only international airport in the country with an low average of 3000 movements per  year.

LONDO ( 'Stand-Up' in Sango, national dialect in CAR) project is a World Bank initiative. Started in July 2015 with $20 million budget, it aims to provide temporary employment to vulnerable people throughout the entire territory of the country.

6th AVIATION STAKEHOLDERS CONVENTION

EVENT | 6th AVIATION STAKEHOLDERS CONVENTION 

👉 Where?   Medina Mediterranean , Yasmine Hammamet , Tunisie

👉 When ? :07-09 May,  2017.

👉 Theme :  Collaboration for sustainable aviation growth in Africa”

👉 Details : The Aviation Stakeholders Convention (ASC) is an initiative borne out of AFRAA’s members’ deliberations on the need to bring together various stakeholders of the industry with the view to foster dialogue, build sustainable networks in supply chain management, create a competitive environment for business and improve the aviation business support base in the continent.

The 2017 Convention will be convened under the hosting of TUNISAIR and organised in partenership with Medina Events. It’s expected to attract over 500 high profile delegates, speakers, panelists and session moderators from the aviation industry in Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America.

more on http://asc.afraa.org

Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT)-Zaria: The best aviation school in Africa

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria has been rewarded as the best training institute with the highest number of trained instructors in addition to highest number of ICAO courses.

NCAT received the Award prize at the TRAINAIR PLUS symposium held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   last week. 

“This Certification came after an exhaustive statistical inspection of NCAT Training facilities, instructional staff, course content and programmes by a team of GAT experts’’ the NCAT management proudly said in a statement.

In the view of this international recognition, NCAT has been allowed to conduct additional courses such as, Government Safety Inspector Airworthiness Course- Air Operator and Approved Maintenance Organization Certification, Government Safety Inspector Operations Course- Air Operators Certification Course.

While dedicating the award to the Honorable minister of Transport Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Honorable Minister of State (Aviation), Sen. Hadi Sirika for their commitment to the development of NCAT, the Rector of NCAT Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed pleaded with the Federal Government to provide NCAT with a sustainable allocations in view to become an ICAO Regional Training Centre of Excellence.

NCAT offers regular training programmes in Flying, Aviation Management, Air Traffic Services/ Communication, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Courses and Aeronautical Telecommunications Engineering.

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria is the oldest aviation school in Nigeria. It was set up by Act. No 31 on October 23 1964. Since its inception, NCAT has produced over 20000 professionals for the Aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond. 

ILS ONT DIT | Dr. FANG LIU , ICAO Secretary General, opening address, Fourth ICAO Global Aviation Training and TRAINAIR PLUS Symposium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 11th April 2017.

« Over the next twenty years, -the- projected growth will require many new skilled personnel such as pilots, maintenance engineers and air traffic controllers …These pressing needs for aviation personnel, especially in light of competition for their skills from other high-tech sectors, make clear for us that we must address our persisting training capacity gaps sooner than later, ultimately ensuring a sustainable skilled workforce for the future of civil aviation.  »

Dr. FANG LIU   , ICAO Secretary General, opening address, Fourth ICAO Global Aviation Training and TRAINAIR PLUS Symposium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 11th April 2017. 

The competitive entrance examination into Ecole Africaine de la Météorologie et de l’Aviation Civile (EAMAC) has been launched.

The competitive entrance examination into Ecole Africaine de la Météorologie et de l’Aviation Civile (EAMAC)  has been launched. Examination shall run from 21st to 23^rd June 2017.

• Online registration is now opened : www.eamac.ne
• Application Date: Wednesday 12^th April to Friday 5^th May.
• Exam centers : ABIDJAN , BAMAKO,  BANGUI , BATA , BISSAU , BRAZZAVILLE , COTONOU ,  DAKAR , LIBREVILLE , LOME ,  MALABO  , NIAMEY NDJAMENA , OUAGADOUGOU , YAOUNDE
• Training Options:  See statement below 

ANGOLA: Air traffic controllers Union call off strike as talks continue

Angola air traffic controller staff have called off strike planned for Tuesday 11th. The union and the ministry in charge of transport agreed to hold further talks about pay adjustments. Controllers have been involved in months bargaining negotiations. They are angry about salary cuts since kwanza (national currency) has been  depreciated .The strike would have caused disruptions and cancellations of hundreds of flight.

TANZANIA/ OUGANDA : Aviation cooperation enhancement

Tanzania and Uganda have signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in civil aviation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the deals were signed last Thursday 7^th by Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, AUGUSTINE MAHIGA on behalf of Tanzania and Ugandan Minister for Foreign Affairs, SAM KUTESA on behalf of the Ugandan government.

Tunisia: General Directorate of Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation and Airports Authority (OACA) about to merge

 

Tunisia is set to introduce a bill on creation of a national civil aviation authority. The General  Manager of General Directorate of Civil Aviation , Habib MEKK , made this known two weeks ago  at a day’s workshop  on project "Support to the strengthening of  civil aviation institutions"  with European Union.

For many years, Tunisian air transport has experienced a weakening in the supervision of security and control, discrepancies in abiding with international regulations. Aviation experts explained that the overlapping of attributions between DGAC and OACA is partly the cause of this weaknesses.

According to Habib MEKKI, the new institution will contribute in revamping of national aviation sector. It will be a self-funded government institution and gather the staff of the current DGAC and the OACA.

This initiative is one of key point of the project "Support to the strengthening of civil aviation institutions " between Tunisia and France launched in November 2016. 1.2 million euros funded by the European Union, this project will upgrade Tunisia civil aviation management relying on officials with enhanced professionalism.

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Established in 1971, OACA, is a public industrial and commercial institution under the Ministry of Transport, responsible for management, development, operation, maintenance and development of international airports, as well as regional and local air traffic control in Tunisia and navigation services.

RwandaAir Gets New CEO

According to the cabinet statement, the government had named Chance Ndagano as RwandAir’s acting chief executive officer, replacing John Mirenge.

Mirenge had been at the helm of RwandAir since 2010 and is credited with steering an ambitious expansion plan.

It is unclear why he was replaced by the government. However Read more

France takes Mozambique airline off blacklist

France has removed Mozambique's national carrier from a blacklist of airlines prohibited from using its airports, Mozambique aviation officials. 

National Director of Civil Aviation Antonio Pinto welcomed the decision, saying the ban had hurt Linhas Aereas de Mocambique financially and damaged the country's reputation abroad. 

Read More

FORMATION : IAWA-ICAO Aviation Scholarship for Professional Women

Dans le but d'améliorer le développement de la femme dans l'aviation, l'Organisation de l'aviation civile internationale (OACI), en collaboration avec International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA) offre des bourses  d'études pour les professionnelles  évoluant dans le secteur de l’aviation.

Les candidats sélectionnés pour la Bourse OACI-IAWA pourront accroître leur expérience professionnelle en aviation en travaillant sur des aspects spécifiques d’un programme de l'OACI au niveau international pour une période de neuf mois.

 CALENDRIER POUR LA  SÉLECTION

• Date d'ouverture des candidatures : 01 Avril 2017
• Date de clôture des candidatures: 17 avril 2017
• Notification des résultats aux candidats: fin mai 2017
• Date de déclaration à Montréal du candidat sélectionné: octobre 2017
• Durée de la bourse d'étude: neuf (09) mois
• Frais de subsistance: une allocation mensuelle de  2 000  USD sera fournie pour aider le candidat sélectionné à couvrir les frais de subsistance à Montréal

 Exigences requises et contenu du programme de travail, suivre le lien

Harmonisation des formations dans l’Aviation : Ethiopian Airlines, hôte du premier forum TRAINAIR PLUS en Afrique

La compagnie aérienne Ethiopian Airlines accueillera à Addis-Abeba du 11 au 13 Avril  le symposium sur la  formation mondiale en aviation et TRAINAIR PLUS.

Placée sous les auspices de l’organisation de l’aviation civile internationale (OACI), la rencontre constituera un cadre de réflexion  sur les dernières tendances, techniques et outils actuellement disponibles dans les formations en aviation  dans le monde entier.

Pour ATO TEWOLDE GEBREMARIAM, CEO Ethiopian Airlines, ce forum international, premier du genre sur le continent africain est d’autant plus important que «  la disponibilité du capital humain qualifié autant en quantité qu’en  qualité reste l'un des défis majeur pour  la croissance et le  développement de l'aviation africaine ».

Près de 500 participants comprenant un haut panel de  l'OACI conduit par  son  président OLUMUYIWA BENARD ALIU, des organismes de formation en aviation, des fabricants d'avions, des compagnies aériennes, des autorités de l'aviation civile et des aéroports, des organisations de tourisme et des décideurs gouvernementaux participeront au symposium.

Le programme TRAINAIR PLUS est  un réseau collaboratif d'organismes de formation et de partenaires de l'industrie aéronautique qui travaillent ensemble pour développer et fournir des formations harmonisées de l'OACI.