BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): Brunei Darussalam will improve its air navigation system after it transitions from Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) to Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) said Minister of Transport and InfoCommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib Mohd Yusof (pic)in his message on Monday (Dec 6) in conjunction of International Civil Aviation Day 2021.
The transformation from AIS to AIM is the transition of aeronautical information from traditional charts and paper publications towards real-time standards-based digital aeronautical information, according to the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO).
The project will improve the accuracy, efficiency as well as effectiveness of the country’s air navigation system, said the minister, adding that the project will begin in June 2022 and is scheduled for completion in March 2023.
The minister said technology and innovation in the civil aviation industry, “are closely interlinked in line with regulations and policies in enhancing sustainable air transport strategies for economic development and diversification”.
“This is in line with one of the strategic objectives in the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications‘ (MTIC) Strategic Plan which links technological development with increasing connectivity towards greater socio-economic opportunities, increased innovation and higher quality of life.”
Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib said the entire world economy has been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, and the air transport sector is one of the worst affected sectors.
The minister said “under the Asean Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) implementation plan, the first guidelines for the Asean-wide Covid-19 operation for the protection and safety of passengers and crew were approved in November 2020 during the 26th Asean Minister of Transport, which was chaired by Brunei Darussalam”.
He said, in the recovery effort for air transport sector, MTIC and Department of Civil Aviation are among the several ministries and government agencies that work together through the Cross -Border Affairs Task Force in preparing policies and guidelines as well as planning of strategies and initiatives on cross border through air transport.
The recovery initiative of reciprocal green lane (RGL) has been implement between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore that have started enforced on Sept 1, 2020.
He said Brunei Darussalam as an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member state is committed to ensuring the safety and security of international air transport.
He said the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART) has issued recovery guidelines from the 4th edition of the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2021.
“Brunei Darussalam has also supported and adopted these guidelines and to date, has implemented modules that relating to risk mitigation measures for airports, crew, aircraft and cargo as proposed in the CART guidelines.”
The minister said, “I would like to express my appreciation to all involved parties and stakeholders, especially to the frontliners for their support and dedication in ensuring that services in the air transport sector will continue to operate.
“Let us together continue to work together and contribute to the increasing the nation’s economy through the civil aviation sector towards an effective recovery from the effects of Covid-19.
International Civil Aviation Day is celebrated by 193 member states of ICAO on Dec 7.
The theme of International Civil Aviation Day for year 2020 to 2023 is ‘Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development’.
