BiH Minister of Communications and Transport Damir Hadžić said that the Center of the Air Navigation Services Agency of BiH (BHANSA) in Nedžarici in Sarajevo will begin its full operating in five days and as of then, the technical logistics and the flight control will work 24 hours, seven days a week.
He explained that taking over the control of BH airspace by BHANSA was a phased process that is verified and approved by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) and that the transition process started long before 1 October 2014.
“The final phase of the transition began on 15 September and will run until the end of November this year. I am proud to say that we actually the activities of the control over our skies even before 1 October,” said Hadžić.
He added that currently there is pending conversion of BH Air Traffic Controllers to the local system and the characteristics of the airspace, and that the operations started with reduced capacity.
At a meeting held in Brussels on 16 July 2014, attended by representatives of regulatory agencies and service providers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia, organized by EUROCONTROL Director Frank Brener, the parties agreed on the time period for the final phase of the transition period for taking over the control of BH skies by BHANSA.
Hadžić said that the air traffic control system cost around 38 million BAM, of which about 34 million BAM were loans secured by EBRD, and five million has been secured from the budget of the Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA) and from funds generated on the basis of route charges.
He added that all installed equipment has been successfully tested in cooperation with neighboring service providers, and that the final transition to the local system started in September and it has confirmed all operational and technical readiness.
“As for the financial gain, by the end of 2016, the expected revenue will be about 165 million BAM. BHANSA, as a nonprofit agency is obliged to report its revenues to EUROCONTROL and spend them on equipment and training of employees who work on the provision of air navigation services and these funds cannot be spent for other purposes,” said Hadžić.
He underlined that the benefit for the state is reflected in the payment of VAT and customs duties on all equipment and services imported by the agency and through engagement of local companies for operational costs.
Technical staff has been trained through the contract on supply and installation of equipment, while the operational staff – air traffic controllers are educated at local simulator in Mostar.
Their transition to the Center in Nedžarići in Sarajevo will mark the beginning of operations on which the public will be duly informed.
EUROCONTROL on 13 August 2014 officially announced the beginning of transitional period for taking over control of our skies, announced the Information Service of the Ministry of Communications and Transport.
(Source: Fena)
