Airport’s Digital-Atis systems now operational

Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) has announced the functioning of Digital-Air Traffic Information System (D-ATIS), a technology that positions the country as a safe destination. The technology is part of the recommendations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It is also intended to fulfill government’s vision of making the aviation industry one of the key drivers of Rwanda’s economy. The Digital-ATIS service at Kigali International Airport allows modern aircrafts and pilots to access en route and destination meteorological information anywhere in the globe. The technology was installed by SITA, the world’s leading specialist in air transport communication and information technology (IT) solutions. Dr. Richard Masozera, the Director General of RCAA said the technology has been a milestone to the safety and efficiency of air navigation service delivery. “For any airport to be rated, it must have capacity to provide accurate and timely data,” Masozera said. He added that for an airport to be considered as a safe destination, it is rated mainly depending on the basics that include, weather information and security equipment. In a similar move to making Rwanda a safe destination, more information package was availed. The package include, Run way Visual Range (RVR) that provides information on the level visibility on the run way and on the ground plus Automatic Weather Observation (AWO). “As a service oriented economy, the package will help us raise standards and act as a catalyst of other economic sectors,” Masozera said. In a similar move that aims at upgrading the airport, Masozera said that in few weeks, modern Flight Information Display System (FIDS) will be installed. Rwanda Civil Aviation has also hired experts in flight operations and airworthiness who will help the office develop technical guidance and manuals geared towards attaining International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. Ends