Private airlines that operate in the capital city of Ethiopia asked the Federal Government to construct an alternative airport for the purpose of handling small aircraft.
During the consultative meeting held on week, representatives of private airlines complained small airlines that operate light aircraft are unable to use the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Abyssinian Flight Service’s Deputy Managing Director, Amare Gebrehana (Capt.), complained there is only one run way where the air traffic congestion is rapidly increasing. We operate small aircraft like Cessna Caravan and we are sharing the same runway with giant aircraft such as B777 and B787. Air traffic controllers obviously give priority for big jetliners. That is what they are actually supposed to do. But we are not operating according to our schedule because of the congestion at the run way. We have opened a pilot training school and are training cadets. Now our cadets are not able to exercise as much as we want,” Amare said during the meeting.
Amare’s position was echoed by other private airlines. He also noted a secondary airport where small private airlines operate is a mandatory. “There should be another small airport where companies involved in general aviation can operate. There are idle airports in the regional towns but they are far from Addis Ababa and the market demand is here in the capital,” he furthered.
According to the Deputy Manager Abyssinian owns 13 aircrafts. It renders flight services.
Another point the private operators discussed with ECAA officials was the new air transport policy which the Federal Government is drafting. They also raised security issues which require private operators to secure a clearance from the Ministry of Defence before flying to any part of the country. Amare commented on this pointing saying; “We need to notify ECAA and the Ministry of Defense about our flight plan 24 hours prior to our departure. But our customers need urgent service. Sometimes it could be an emergency. It could be a medical evacuation. How can we wait for 24 hours in such cases? So how is your working relation with the Ministry of Defense?”
He also complained his employees are being detained for not having permission papers. “Especially flights to the northern part of the country are extremely difficult,” he added.
Another point of dissatisfaction raised by the representatives of the private airline operators was the 50 seats limit levied upon them.
CEO of National Airways, Abera Lemi (Capt.), said it is difficult to find an aircraft with 50 seats. “These days, manufacturers do not produce aircraft with 50 or less seats because it is not economical for operators. It was Fokker that had 50 seater aircraft but this company was closed many years ago after it declared bankruptcy. We could have gone to Russia to bring ageing aircraft but ECAA does not allow us to import aircraft which is more than 22 years old it was manufactured,” Abera said.
He furthered and questioned the rationale behind the seat limitation. He noted; “Why can’t I operate a Boeing 737? We are not able to plan for the years to come because of the seat limitation.”
Giving response to the questions raised by the participants, Wossenyeleh Hunegnaw (Col.), Director General of ECAA, agreed the need for another airport. “We know that there is a problem in handling small and big aircraft in the same airport. There is a pressure on the air traffic controllers. As it was mentioned there are idle airports in the regional towns, some of them even do not handle one aircraft in a day. For instance Ethiopian Airlines has shifted to Dire Dawa for flight training.
There will come a time when it will be impossible to accommodate the small airlines at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.”
He also told the participants the draft air transport policy will soon be tabled for discussion. “The new air transport policy will address the seat limit issue,” the Director General furthered.
Answering the questions raised in relation to the Ministry of Defence, he said ECAA has been discussing the matter with the Ministry. He said the Authority is currently working on document which is said to serve as a guideline on security precaution. We have a security threat and the necessary precaution should be taken. But we do not have to put too much restrictions and hurt private operators. So we need to reconcile the national interest and as well as the operators’. We will soon call you for orientation on the new document,” Wossenyeleh explained.
Concerning the aircraft age, Girma Gebre, head of the Country’s State Safety program, said Soviet Era rickety planes are blamed for many of the aircraft accidents in Ethiopia and across Africa.
Commenting on the same matter, Zewdu Teklay, representative of aircraft registration and licensing department, said ICAO document does not allow ECAA to let operators import aircrafts that are more than 22 years old.
Source: The Reporter
