Agreement Cements Regional Cooperation

Johannesburg, South Africa. Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Limited and Empresa Nacional De Navegação Aérea – EP (ENNA) formerly known as Empresa Nacional De Exploração De Aeroportos E Nevegaçâo Aérea (ENANA) has signed a ground-breaking contractual agreement, relating to Billing and Collection of Air Traffic Services (ATS) fees as well as Communication Spectrum Services.

Interim ATNS CEO, Thomas Kgokolo and his ENNA counterpart, Manuel Junior (see attached) signed the agreement in Johannesburg, South Africa following three days of intense and protracted negotiations.

Kgokolo says the relationship between the two entities goes a long way. “We have and continue to share much-needed expertise, experiences and knowledge in key aviation areas such as Air Traffic Management; Communications, Navigation and Surveillance and various technical-related services such as ATS and Engineering Technical Services training” concludes Kgokolo.

These new developments follow on the recent joint initiative between ATNS and L’Agence pour la Sécurité de la Navigation aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar (ASECNA), aimed at paving the way for continental cooperation between two of Africa’s foremost ANSPs.

This initiative advances cooperation in the areas of aviation safety and commercial development between Southern Africa and West Africa. Focus areas are in the Air Traffic Management (ATM), implementation of relevant Technology and Training. Their evolutionary cooperation extends to the inter-operability of the VSAT networks thereby providing a seamless inter-connectivity between SADC VSAT and NAFISAT – with ASECNA’s AFISNET promoting voice and data communication for Air Traffic Control units within the continent. Furthermore, they are working on the implementation of various initiatives such as Spaced-Based ADSB as a Regional Solution.

This week, ATNS in collaboration with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), hosted a two-day SADC Contingency Plan development Workshop near OR Tambo International Airport. The SADC workshop sought to finalise tasks as per the AFI Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APIRG) conclusions, ensuring alignment and coordination of the SADC states Contingency Plans and Contingency Routes,