NAMA to deploy CPDLC at Lagos, Kano airports for optimal communication

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in conjunction with SITA, an international company that specialises in aviation IT, is deploying Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) facilities at Lagos and Kano Control Centres to enhance long range data communication between air traffic controllers and the pilots.

This system of communication, according to Ibrahim Abdulsalam, managing director of the Agency,  would assist in “the decongestion of busy ATC frequencies at Lagos and Kano Area Control Centres, thereby promoting safe and efficient flow of traffic within the nation’s airspace. In addition, the deployment of CPDLC would reduce ATC and Pilot workload within the airspace.’

The installation of CPDLC, the NAMA boss explained, would also enhance Air Traffic Management (ATM) capacity while ensuring accuracy of data exchanged between ATC Pilots of aircraft in flight.

Abdusallam, while  addressing the 2014 National Conference of Nigerian Airspace Managers’ Forum which held at UK Bello Arts Theatre in Minna, Niger State, said deployment of the equipment would boost revenue collection  by providing adequate, accurate and timely data for effective billing and collection. He  stated that “with the increasing growth in air traffic and the growing demand for air navigation services, there was the need for NAMA to deploy appropriate infrastructure and technology in order to enhance capacity in safety critical areas as well as Search and Rescue Coordination.”

The NAMA boss also hinted that as part of the nation’s preparedness in emergency responses, the Agency has concluded plans to develop a Strategic Disaster Recovery Centre for the provision of communication, surveillance, air traffic management to enhance uninterrupted services.

When in place, the centre would equally provide online, real time information in the event of unforeseen contingency.

Also as part of the project, Abdulsalam said the agency would acquire two Mobile Radar Trucks for Lagos and Abuja airports, additional Mobile Control Towers for contingency use and installation of 3-Dimensional Virtual Tower Simulators at Lagos and Abuja for in-house training.

The agency, according to the NAMA boss would also establish additional Area Control Centres at Abuja and Port Harcourt among others.

He lauded the airspace managers for their ‘dedication to duty and ingenuity in managing the operational, technical, financial and administrative challenges’ at  their various stations and also enjoined them to put safety first in all their considerations as the onus lies on them to effectively and efficiently deploy the huge safety-critical infrastructure in their domains to bring about seamlessness and safety in the nation’s airspace.

Sade Williams