The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) successfully hosted a workshop on airport and air traffic control sector capacity estimation methodology in Abuja from July 8th to 12th, 2024. The event gathered experts, professionals and stakeholders from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Civil Air Navigation Service Organisation (CANSO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that worked on methodologies for capacity determination of airports and air traffic control sectors.
The five-day workshop featured a series of presentations, interactive sessions, and practical demonstrations aimed at learning and improving the methodologies used in estimating the capacity of airports and air traffic control sectors. Key topics included demand forecasting, airspace management, technological advancements, and best practices in capacity estimation.
In his opening address, NAMA’s Managing Director/CE, Engineer Farouk Ahmed Umar, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Alhaji Ahmad Abba, mni, emphasized the importance of accurate capacity estimation in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of air traffic operations in Nigeria. He highlighted NAMA’s commitment to adopting international best practices and leveraging advanced technologies to enhance the country’s aviation infrastructure.
According to the Managing Director, the determination of air traffic control sector capacity as well as airport capacity constituted the cornerstone of aviation management. Such determination directly impacts on three critical areas: aviation safety, economic growth and operational efficiency. Proper capacity determination will ensure that African airspace was managed efficiently, minimizing congestion and reducing the risk of accidents by enabling easy handling of increased air traffic without compromising safety standards. Such efficiency is not only beneficial to passengers but also to airlines and airport operators, leading to a more robust and resilient aviation sector, he concluded.
NAMA is dedicated to improving air traffic management systems to meet the growing demands of air travel in Nigeria and the workshop is a significant step towards achieving optimized capacity in African air traffic managing and ensuring seamless air traffic flow. These potential benefits were principally NAMA`s motivation for hosting workshop in Abuja, said Engineer Farouk.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Regional Director, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Nika Meheza Manzi, welcomed and thanked all the delegates for their attendance, reflecting their respective governments’ commitment to implementing ICAO Standard and Recommended Practices related to ATC and airport capacity to support ICAO’s strategic objectives, vision for a sustainable development of global civil aviation system. He reminded that a conclusion of APIRG/26 from the APIRG meeting held in Cotonou in 2023 requested ICAO in conjunction with stakeholders like CANSO, IATA and ANSP’s to conduct workshops on methodologies for the determination of airports and ATC sector capacity by 31st October 2024. This is to ensure the effective implementation of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) in the AFI region.
The workshop also provided a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field of air traffic management. Experts from ICAO, CANSO, IATA, ATNS, NAMA, NCAA and FAAN contributed valuable insights and shared their experiences.
Four breakout groups that consist of Airport, Regulatory, Terminal Area (TMA) and UTA/En-route (Upper Terminal Area) were created during the workshop, each focusing on an aspect of capacity determination. This enabled delegates to brainstorm on issues affecting ATC and airports capacity. At the end of the breakout session, some observations and recommendations made. Chief among them is the necessity of increase in the capacity building in Air Traffic Management (ATM), resource capacity assessment through specialized training on ATFM of Air Traffic Services (ATS) personnel both at regulatory and operational level, and establishment of a platform for the exchange of information and experience pertaining to initiatives taken at national level in ATC sector and airport assessment.
Participants praised the workshop for its thorough coverage of capacity estimation methodologies and its focus on practical applications. Many expressed optimism about the future of air traffic management in Africa, noting that the knowledge gained would be instrumental in addressing current challenges and preparing for future growth.
In his closing speech, Alhaji Abba, mni, urged the attendees to collaborate, share insights, and develop innovative solutions that would elevate the standards of airspace and airport management in Africa. He further stated that attendees should work together to ensure aviation infrastructure meet the demands of today and the future, providing a safer, more efficient, and economically vibrant airspace for all.
The successful conclusion of the workshop underscores NAMA’s dedication to advancing Nigeria’s aviation sector and its readiness to implement innovative solutions for air traffic management. The agency plans to continue organizing similar events to further enhance the country’s air traffic management capabilities and support the sustainable development of its aviation industry.