The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has installed new CAT 2 Instrument Landing System/Distance Measuring Equipment (ILS/DME) at the Akanu International Airport, Enugu to replace the old one installed since 2003.
The agency said in a statement that the instrument was installed in preparation for the re-opening of the airport.
It also stated that a successful site acceptance test on the equipment had also been conducted by NAMA engineers in Enugu in preparation for its calibration.
Besides, it said it had installed Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) for satellite communication to address communication blind spots in the Lagos South East corridor
It added that the satellite communication node had further been integrated into the national satellite communication network which is linked to the African Indian Ocean SATCOM Network (AFISNET).
Also linked to the VSAT is the newly installed Remote Control Air-Ground (RCAG) Very High Frequency (VHF) radio communication system, ensuring that Enugu now has an extended VHF coverage on 127.3MHz frequency for Lagos South East sector.
Commenting on the installations, the managing director of the agency, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said radio communication along the Lagos South East sector “has improved tremendously.”
He added that the installation of the VHF radio in Enugu is “particularly significant as the city is strategically located to accommodate over six routes, both local and international.
“Enugu being on higher latitude can cover for Manfe entry/exit reporting point in Cameroun for international flights like Ethiopian, Rwanda Airlines, Kenya Airways, South Africa Airways and the like.”
He also said the new installation has provided AFTN Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) link that would enhance effective data communication for transmission of flight plans, NOTAMs and Aeronautical Communication messages.
Besides, he said it has provided effective coordination between Enugu tower and Lagos Area Control Centre through the Air Traffic Services/ Direct Speech (ATS/DS) for departing and arriving traffic ahead of time.
