RO 25 million air traffic control centre opens
Equipped with 56 inch monitors, a first in world
MUSCAT: Muscat Air Traffic Control Centre that cost more than RO 25 million was on Thursday inaugurated by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council.
The centre is expected to enhance capacity of the Omani air space, as well as the level of safety and security of air traffic over the Sultanate.
Dr Mantheri said, “The centre is an impressive leap that places the Sultanate in prominent position in terms of air navigation”. He said the centre is equipped with high quality and sophisticated technologies.
Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communication, Chairman of PACA Board, said that the centre is a valuable addition to the achievements made by the Sultanate during the Blessed Renaissance.
Dr Mohammed bin Nasser al Zaabi, CEO of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation said that the centre, which cost more than RO 25 million, is one of the fruits of the mega projects being carried out by the Sultanate to develop the civil aviation sector to meet the growth in air traffic. He said the centre enhances the air navigation services rendered to more than 1,500 aircraft that use the Omani air space daily.
He pointed out the number of aircraft using the Omani air space grew by 11 per cent per annum due to the strategic location of the Sultanate, which makes it a meeting point for the routes to Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa and Australia
It is also provided with early warning tools that help air traffic controllers to identify possible risks.
The centre is also provided with 56 inch monitors, the first of its kind in the world, to follow up air traffic.
Mohammed Khalifa Rahma, Regional Manager of ICAO in the Middle East, said that the centre is a new addition to the civil aviation systems in the region and the world.
The opening ceremony was attended by ministers, officials, delegations of the GCC and Arab states, as well as members of the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Commission.