By Dickson Omobola

Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, weekend, said it is not unaware of the poor state of some facilities in the navigational systems.

Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Ahmed Farouk, however, assured that efforts were being made to address them.

Farouk spoke at the Annual General Meeting of National Association of Air Traffic Engineers, NAAE, in Abuja.

He urged engineers in the air transport sector to come up with solutions that would reposition the agency for better performance.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant Operations, Jibril Haske, he said the theme: ‘The Integration of AI in CNS/ATM Systems: Economic Implications for the Aviation Industry – The Role of ATSEPs’ could not have been more relevant as it captured a critical aspect of the transformation shaping global aviation.

Meanwhile, President of NAAPE, Engr Selzing Miri, reminded air traffic engineers of their role in the transformation of the aviation industry through the provision of their services as the experts responsible for maintaining, repairing, and upgrading the complex electronic systems that underpin the air traffic management.

Miri noted that their expertise and dedication were essential in ensuring the seamless integration of emerging technologies such as AI into the systems while upholding the highest standards of safety and reliability.

Miri, however, called on the Federal Government to provide more fund for aviation agencies in order to meet up with the emerging technologies as the 50 per cent Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, deduction.

He said: “As we delve into this fascinating and rapidly evolving field, we must acknowledge the challenges that we currently face as a result of the economic situation in our country. The aviation industry, like many sectors, has not been immune to the economic hardships we are experiencing. The rising costs, budget constraints, and limited resources have put a strain on our ability to innovate and modernize our CNS/ATM systems effectively.

“Let us collaborate, innovate, and adapt to the changing landscape of aviation. Let us work together to overcome the economic challenges we face, leverage the power of AI in revolutionising our CNS/ATM systems, and position our industry for sustainable growth and success.”