Abu Dhabi, 10 Dec. 2012 (WAM) - A GCAA delegation on behalf of the Executive Director Air Navigation Services (EDANS) GCAA, lead by Waleed Al Hameeri Director of Communication Navigation and Surveillance, visited the air navigation service provider (ANSP) of Canada, NavCanada?s NAVCANatm facility in Cornwall on 16 November 2012 with an aim at benchmarking GCAA ATM/CNS applications and procedures.
The visit also targeted an exploration on the best practices, quality and excellence of services provided by the Canadian ANSP. The GCAA delegation was warmly received by Dr. Rob Cook and Mr. Fadi Ghourani and was thoroughly briefed on NavCanada?s operations principles with a special focus on CNS applications and training. Other topics touched on included; Organizational Structure, ATM Systems and Capabilities, CNS Capabilities, ATC Training Systems and Programs, Airspace Department and Responsibilities, ATFM and CDM Tools and Capabilities, SMS and Safety Groups, Contingency Cells and Back-up Facilities, National/Regional Groups and Task Forces and Main Contributory Factors to the IATA Eagle Award. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General ? UAE General Civil Aviation Authority stated; "It is crucial for us to maintain full awareness of the developments and best practices deployed by the elite ANSPs in the world which will allow us to remain in the forefront of worldwide ANSPs and to continuously improve the level and quality of services provided to our customers."During the discussions there was an overall agreement to exchange experience and lessons learned from both organizations so as to strength cooperation. "NavCanada is an international example in the effective implementation and safe and reliable delivery of air traffic control procedures and systems," said Ahmed Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Air Navigation Services. He continued; "NavCanada?s active engagement with stakeholders at all levels in regular collaborative decision making is exemplary."The Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre (SZC) in Abu Dhabi, which itself safely manages over 2100 aircraft per day in a very challenging airspace, has steadily experienced rapid growth year-on-year is itself equipped with industry leading systems, however the SZC continuously strives to maintain a leading position in global Air Traffic Management (ATM) through evaluating and adapting best practices so as to exceed our customers needs. "The fact that NavCanada has experienced a 50% increase in traffic at 25% less cost since 1996 is a noteworthy achievement in its own right," Al Jallaf added. Waleed Al Hameeri said: "NavCanada?s strong commitment to CNS and internal technical development and NavCanada?s industry leading non-punitive approach has seen NavCanada winning the IATA Eagle Award 3 times - an accolade well deserved."On conclusion, the delegation praised NavCanada for their achievements and thanked them for their warm hospitality.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
