Airways to enhance aviation safety in the Pacific

New Zealand’s air navigation service provider Airways will deliver a $2.4 million project to enhance safety at airfields in eight Pacific countries.

The organisation has been contracted by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to undertake the two-year Pacific Aeronautical Charting and Procedures (PACP) programme - further cementing its long-term commitment to providing safe and sustainable services to the Pacific Islands.

The project will be implemented at 38 aerodromes across the Pacific over the next two years, and includes more accurate surveying of runways, and designing satellite-based approach procedures to improve the ability of aircraft to land safely, especially in poor weather. Initial work will be undertaken in Vanuatu and the Cook Islands, before being expanded out to airfields Niue, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga and other Pacific nations.

Airways’ Chief Executive Ed Sims says Airways is well positioned to implement a comprehensive programme which will deliver on the organisation’s vision to enhance aviation safety and develop sustainable and efficient services in the Pacific.

“We have a long history of working in the Pacific, with over 40 years of experience delivering safe, value-for-money projects and services in the region,” Mr Sims says.

“Safe aeronautical procedures are critical to aviation safety. While these new procedures contribute to safer air travel, they also enable a far greater range of options and flexibility, for the airlines and other commercial operators,” he adds.

Training will also be provided to local Pacific staff to ensure that Pacific Islands are able to update aviation charts and procedures on an ongoing basis.

The programme commences later this month, with specialist procedure design work beginning, and the deployment of aerodrome surveyors, flight inspection and training teams.