Aviation
NAMA woos airlines to adopt SBAS, says no plans for ILS’ decommissioning
Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Matthew Lawrence Pwajok, has said the agency does not intend to decommission the Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) as it plans to deploy the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) side by side as an upgraded redundancy.
This is just as he has said it would favour airlines and not cost them much to retrofit the signal receiver in their aircraft stating that if the equipment is installed and users unwilling its success becomes limited.
Pwajok made this known at the workshop on SBAS Implementation in Aviation in Africa which he described as a milestone for the nation and the continent that will change the dynamics of airspace management in the region bringing about efficient and effective use of the airspace.
He said the SBAS aids improved accuracy in approach and landing, improved accuracy in flying (enroute), and improved accuracy in descent profile. It provides the capacity to give aircraft lateral guidance, vertical guidance either for approach and landing or takeoff and climb or for enroute flight.
For the airlines who may be apprehensive to migrate to the new system citing cost, the NAMA boss said that setting up the SBAS does not mean NAMA will be decommissioning the ILS systems that has taken years and billions of naira to install across the country however stressing that cost of procurement, installation, calibration maintenance, spares for the service provider is huge and cost recovery low.
He said, “Some airlines might decide to remain on using the normal system and they might be comfortable and it might be okay for them as long as it gives them access to the airport for landing and takeoff. There are other airlines that might see this as being more cost effective and rather than having a diversion when something goes wrong, they will rather have a retrofit and install this.
“In some airports maybe we have issues with the ground landing instruments, that will not be enough for them to divert or wait, they can actually use an alternative satellite navigation system to be able to land. It is going to be at the discretion of airlines, we are not going to force any airline to have to fit it in. If you are comfortable with instrument landing equipment, we are going to deploy it and we do that as a requirement to have a backup for every service we provide.
“For us, it is not that we are going to decommission the instrument landing system, we want to provide alternatives for our airspace users knowing the technicality of the service that they provide. We won’t want to deny anybody access to an airport because one piece of equipment is not working. We have satellite means of communication, we have terrestrial communication systems. For our surveillance we have a ground surveillance radar and a satellite surveillance. We are providing adequate back ups.”
Speaking on requirements for the SBAS Pwajok said, “For airlines, by the time we have the workshop we are going to have an elaborate discussion and of course the airlines are concerned. When you require them to buy new equipment, what is the cost? What is the cost of training pilots and being able to use it? Of course it’s a normal concern for any new system you are bringing.
“It is expected that this will not require more than a retrofit because this is an aircraft we have ( King Air 30i) we have not bought any equipment to say it’s going to cost a million dollars, this is a Nigerian aircraft, yes, we are going to put something on board that would help us receive the signal and of course when the workshop takes off properly that is one of the main areas of discussion, I wouldn’t want to preempt that but whatever we are adding in terms of retrofitting is going to be minimal for aircraft that have been flying our PBN. It’s not going to be capital intensive. Just a retrofit,” he assured.
The satellite based system, according to him, is the way to go in the future with its less problematic usage as it is not susceptible to environmental challenges, inclement weather, power fluctuations like the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and boasts a 10cm plus or minus for accuracy as against the ground equipment that can be 100cm left, right and centre.
He said, “In aviation it is required that every service must have redundancy. For us, it is an improvement in terms of availability of service. When we have the ground based navigational facilities, we still went ahead to implement performance based navigation. The ground equipment are susceptible to power fluctuations, weather changes and also technical errors and maintenance issues. It is a system that can go off and it should have an alternative.
“Now, this is a system that can go off and if it goes off, we should have an alternative. An aircraft that is approaching landing, if the equipment suddenly goes off because of power fluctuation, or an animal crosses it and affects the signal, it should have an alternative. You can’t close the airport because the ground equipment has gone off because of power or some environmental factors that are affecting it.”
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has re-echoed the call on the federal government to settle the outstanding severance benefits of erstwhile workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
The First Vice President of the association, Mr Emmanuel Jaja, said this in commemoration of the 2024 International Workers’ Day on Wednesday in Lagos.
He said that the workers put in the greater part of their life in the service of the airline, which was liquidated during the regime of former president OlusegunObasanjo.
Jaja regretted that over 100 former workers of the former national carrier had died since the last verification and part payment exercise carried out in 2019.
“Again, we wish to lament the death of five former Staff of the Nigerian Airways Staff who lost their lives in the last one week, including the pilot whose plane was hijacked in 1993, Captain MakpoOmodiagbe, without them receiving their full benefits from the federal government after the liquidation of the airline.
“The government must endeavour to pay the remaining living staff so that they can enjoy the labour of their lives before they are called home by their creator,” he said.
Jaja also decried the recent increase in electricity tariff in the country amidst the epileptic power supply, calling for a return to the status quo.
The ATSSSAN leader lamented the hardship in the country following the fuel supply challenges, stating that the labour body was studying the situation.
He also spoke on the issue of companies in the aviation industry that had refused to allow their staff to join trade unions.
Jaja said labour would soon make the industry uncomfortable for such companies and airlines.
“Government must also urgently address the issue of minimum wage for workers in order not to incur the wrath of the Nigerian workers,” he said.
Jaja said that ATSSSAN, in collaboration with the National Union of Air Transport Employees and other unions, would henceforth, not tolerate airlines and companies refusing to allow their workforce to be unionised.
Aviation is set to be part of key economic drivers that will benefit from President Bola Tinubu’s proposed Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).
In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the fund targets strategic sectors like agriculture, transportation, ports, energy, healthcare, and education along with aviation.
The initiative plans to inject funds into vital national projects to foster growth, bolster local value addition, generate jobs, and spur innovation.
Efficient use of low-interest loans and financing options will secure advantageous arrangements for project financing and operation.
The focus on aviation enhancement involves modernising major airports nationwide with targeted investments and infrastructure upgrades.
The statement reads, “On aviation enhancement, the focus is on the revitalization and modernization of major airports nationwide. Through targeted investments and infrastructure upgrades, major airports will undergo comprehensive refurbishment, including improvement in terminal facilities, runway expansions, and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance safety and operational efficiency.”
For agricultural infrastructure, the focus includes developing robust networks like storage facilities and irrigation systems.
In port revitalisation, the goal is to modernise facilities and attract investments to enhance Nigeria’s regional trade hub status.
“By modernizing port facilities and implementing advanced monitoring systems, the goal is to optimize efficiency, attract investments, and bolster Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub,” the statement read.
Key road projects like Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road aim to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth.
Rail projects like Lagos-Kano and Eastern lines will modernise transportation networks for speed and reliability.
President Tinubu’s approval of the RHIDF absorbs the PIDF, expediting project delivery for Nigerians’ benefit.
Projects funded under the RHIDF will have a national spread, reflecting the commitment to equitable development.
The Team Lead of ICAO Security Audit Programme, Callum Vine, announced Nigeria’s strong performance during a debrief after its Audit.
Nigeria recently concluded the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Security Audit Programme the continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) according to a statement emanating from Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, Obiageli Orah.
The USAP-CMA aims to improve aviation security compliance by analysing Member States’ performance and implementation of security standards. It focuses on Annex 17: Security Standards and Annex 9: facilitation compliance, along with associated procedures and security practices.
The event held at NCAA Headquarters saw Vine praise Nigeria’s robust policies and agencies, acknowledging their speed in addressing identified deficiencies without complaints.
He mentioned that the full audit report would be available within 60 days, followed by a 30-day period for comments.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, affirmed using the audit results as a roadmap for continuous improvement.
She urged stakeholders to collaborate closely, share best practices, and uphold the highest security standards in the industry.
The debrief was attended by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, representing the Minister, and Captain Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of NCAA.
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