The Government of Tanzania is anticipated to earn Sh1 billion yearly from the handling and management of airspace.
Tanzania has written to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requesting to be given the mandate of monitoring the eastern triangle portion of the airspace that was handed to Kenya due to safety reasons.
East Africa’s largest country was unable to handle it in the past because it did not have enough surveillance radars.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) acting director of air navigation services, Mr. Gideon Msheri stated that the country now anticipates getting enough surveillance radars to guide international airlines passing the eastern triangle airspace thus necessitating the need to get area back. By getting the area back, Tanzania will stand a position of earning at least Sh1 billion annually which it currently losses out to Kenya, he said.
“We have lost a lot of revenues during the past 38 years and we now need the airspace back,” said Mr. Msheri.
The eastern triangle also covers Madagascar, Mauritius, Moroni and Mayotte islands.
Mr. Msheri exuded optimism that the area would be given back given to Tanzania, saying the law allows any country to seek back its area after satisfying itself and Icao that it would be able to manage it.
Earlier this year, TCAA installed a very high frequency radio station in Tanga to oversee the air space to ensure security to airline operators.
Using its own funds, the TCAA is also planning to buy four modern radars, two of which will be bought this financial year.
TCAA director-general, Hamza Johari told journalists in Dar es Salaam recently that the authority has set aside Sh8.8 billion during this financial year and a similar amount from last financial year for the purpose.
TCAA annual budget stands at Sh56 billion and Mr Johari said the new radars would be fixed at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza airport.
A meeting between ICAO and the countries is to be set up in due time.
Source: The Citizen
