BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently led a high-level delegation to Europe as part of efforts to accelerate the ongoing construction of the Abuja Second Runway.
This mission took the team to Helsinki, Finland, and Vienna, Austria, for key factory inspections and strategic meetings with global leaders in aviation infrastructure, Vaisala and Frequentis AG.
The aim is to procure the latest technologies that will ensure the successful completion of the Abuja Second Runway project.
Accompanying the Minister were leading figures in Nigeria’s aviation sector, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Faruk Ahmed Umar; the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Prof. Charles Anosike; and the Director of Engineering at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engineer Abiola Adejare.
This significant visit was coordinated by Georg Eder, MBA, Managing Director of Avsatel, and his deputy, Engr. Abdullahi Bayi, with the expertise of Engineer Mohammed Sodiq, Chief Consultant on Airfield Lighting (AFL), NavAids, Communications, and Meteorology from KEFE Engineering Limited.
The delegation’s first stop was in Helsinki, Finland, where they inspected the weather radar systems at Helsinki Airport.
The visit also included a comprehensive meeting with Vaisala OYJ, the world’s leading developer of meteorological equipment.
The Nigerian team was warmly received by Vaisala’s top executives, including Mauri Vapola, Application Manager; Juha Salmivaara, R&D Manager; and Kimmo Rustolainen, Director for MEA, Central Asia, and Ukraine.
During the meeting, Vaisala presented an in-depth overview of its core specializations, which include Automatic Weather Observing Systems (AWOS), Runway Visual Range (RVR) systems, Windshear Alert Systems, Weather Radar Integration, and Lightning Information Integration.
The delegation was then given a guided tour of the meteorological equipment at Helsinki Airport, gaining valuable insights into the advanced technologies that could be deployed in the Abuja Second Runway project.
The next leg of the tour took the delegation to Vienna, Austria, where they visited the headquarters and manufacturing plant of Frequentis AG, a global leader in voice communication and control systems for air traffic management.
Dr. Bernd Novak, Vice President and Head of Global Sales Group for Frequentis AG, provided an extensive presentation on their state-of-the-art Voice Communications Switch, a critical component in ensuring seamless air traffic control operations.
Discussions in Vienna were focused on integrating and synchronizing vital aviation technologies. NAMA MD, Engr.
Faruk Ahmed Umar, and NiMET DG, Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasized the importance of harmonizing weather and radar applications on a unified platform. This strategic alignment is expected to significantly boost the safety and efficiency of air traffic management and weather forecasting in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the importance of this European tour, Minister Festus Keyamo highlighted the critical role that advanced technology will play in Nigeria’s aviation future.
“This visit is a vital step in equipping our aviation infrastructure with cutting-edge technology. Our partnerships with global leaders like Vaisala and Frequentis AG are key to ensuring the Abuja Second Runway project meets international standards of safety and efficiency.
These collaborations will enhance Nigeria’s standing as a regional aviation hub and ensure our airports are prepared for the demands of the future,” Minister Keyamo stated.
The Abuja Second Runway project is a major element of the government’s strategy to elevate Nigeria’s aviation sector to international benchmarks, making it a critical gateway for air travel and commerce across West Africa.
With the insights gained and partnerships solidified during this European tour, the project is set to move forward with renewed momentum, ensuring its timely completion and operational excellence.
