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Projects and Programmes

1. Liberalisation of Civil Aviation activities for regional carriers

In 2006, EAC Partner States initiated the implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision on the liberalisation of air transport in the region, and established an Air Transport sub-Committee, which is mandated with its implementation. Preparation of the framework is ongoing.

 

2. Establishment and Operationalisation of the EAC Unified Flight Information Region (UFIR)

The objective of the project is to create a single block of upper airspace over Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, operating from a single area control centre.

Following the completion of the UFIR study and approval of the study report, EAC decided to undertake a follow-on study before the implementation of the project starts to address the following:

  1. Expansion of the study to cover Burundi and Rwanda;
  2. Sustainability of the lower airspace;
  3. Safety analysis of the project; and
  4. Implementation of the project.

 

3. Implementation of the Search and Rescue Agreement

The project is aimed at operationalising the East African Search and Rescue Agreement, and developing a framework for its implementation.

 

4. Implementation of the Recommendations of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Pilot Study

The goal of the project is to develop GNSS procedures for identified three airports in each Partner State in order to bring the existing airports in the region in line with international International Civil Aviation Organisation Standards and Recommended Practices. The project is being coordinated by the EAC Secretariat and implemented by the Partner States through their national budgets.

 

5. Regional Airport Projects

The project aims at primarily improving the airport facilities and services to enhance safety and security standards but also to promote commercial activities which are important for the sustainability of the facility in the long term.

There is an increasing demand for the interconnectivity of tourism destinations in the region. Foreign and local tourists will have better value for money where the various attractions and tourist potentials that can be reached in one circuit, for example Serengeti-Mara-Pakuba-Kigoma and the Coastal sites of Mafia, Zanzibar, Pemba, Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu circuits.

 

6. East African Aviation Training Organisations Rehabilitation Project

The goal of this project for the rehabilitation of the aviation schools in the region is to ensure a sustainable provision of timely, relevant and targeted training for the Air Transport Sector in East Africa to support enhanced aviation safety and security in the region so as to promote trade, the tourism industry and the regional economy as a whole.

EAC Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA)

CASSOA was established as an institution of the EAC in 2007 to provide a common framework and mechanism for the Partner States to fulfil their international safety and security oversight obligations.

CASSOA’s main objectives can be summarised as to ensure co-ordinated development of the civil aviation safety and security oversight infrastructure in the Partner States through effective implementation of the international safety and security-related standards and recommended practices.

For more information, please visit the CASSOA website.

Co-operation among the Partner States in Civil Aviation and Air Transport

The EAC Treaty recognises the contribution of air transport in stimulating the region’s economy. Article 92 of the Treaty (Civil Aviation and Civil Air Transport) outlines a comprehensive system of co-operation among the Partner States in civil aviation and air transport. Specifically, Partner States are required to:

  1. Adopt common policies for the development of civil air transport in the Community in collaboration with other relevant international organisations;
  2. Undertake to make civil air transport services safe, efficient and profitable;
  3. Harmonise civil aviation rules and regulations, and establish common measures;
  4. Establish a common EAC air space;
  5. Establish common measures for the facilitation of passenger and cargo air services in the Community;
  6. Co-ordinate the flight schedules of their designated airlines;
  7. Consider ways to co-ordinate and jointly manage their air;
  8. Encourage the joint use of ground services;
  9. Agree to take common measures for the control and protection of the air space of the Community;
  10. Adopt common aircraft standards and technical specifications for the types of aircraft to be operated in the Community; and
  11. Co-ordinate measures and co-operate in the area of the security and rescue operations.

The case for a well-developed Aviation Sector in East Africa

An efficient air transport network has an effect on increasing tourism, mining and manufacturing, which in turn has an indirect benefit to the local community in terms of provision of labour, supply of raw materials, etc. It facilitates international trade and makes business travel easier and more efficient.

The impact of an effective regulatory and oversight system, improved airport facilities, air navigation systems and affordable air transport through liberalisation of the industry is vital in enabling sustainable markets for farmers’ and local fishermen’s fresh produce at tourist hotels, camps or for export, hence contributing to poverty reduction.


East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org  |  sgoffice@eachq.org