North and East African countries meet in Seychelles regarding flight safety over Africa

A group of North and Eastern African countries are participating in the 9th NAFISAT (Northern African and Indian Ocean telecommunications via satellite) meeting, which will be held at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort from Monday, March 25 to Tuesday, March 26, 2013.

The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority will be co-hosting and participating in the event which is for the first time being held in Seychelles.

NAFISAT is a regional VSAT (telecommunication via satellite) network used for the purpose of dissemination of air traffic /flight information between Air Traffic Control Centers in the northern and eastern African states. The network is administered by Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa but owned by the member states. The current Chairman of the NAFISAT committee is Mr. Moses Lusambili of Somalia, who will also be present at the meeting.

This seminar which is conducted every year is one where the Committee, similar to a Board of Directors, has a supervisory role to ensure that the administration and management of Communication via Satellite (VSAT) network is working smoothly. Together they analyze finances and decide on cost-recovery fees to be charged to airlines.

At this particular meeting, the representatives will ensure the continuity and sustainability of the current network; agree on cost-recovery charges for the year 2013, and planning of the future network and ownership options.

“It is essential that this critical, via-satellite, telecommunication network continues to operate smoothly to ensure safety and efficiency of flights over Africa. We also need to guarantee continuity of this service by planning for the future well in advance,” says Ms. Lise Morel, the SCAA General Manager of Telecommunication and Information system.

The seminar will be attended by 23 delegates from 14 countries. The participating countries are mainly Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen.

SCAA will be represented by Aeronautical Telecommunication Field Engineer Mr. Evans Be strong.

“This network is a superb example of how African states can indeed get together for the benefit of all,” ended Ms. Morel.

You are most welcome to cover this event. For further queries please contact: Miss Lina Laurence, Tel- 4384007/ 2529854, Fax : 4384009, E-mail: [email protected]

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).