RAWALPINDI: Aviation Secretary Hassan Nasir Jamy, who also holds the post of Civil Aviation Authority director general, inaugurated the newly constructed Area Control Centre (ACC) at Islamabad International Airport on Wednesday.

The ACC has been established as part of the five-year Air Navigation Plan (ANP 2019-2024) which was approved in 2019.

In air traffic control, an area control center (ACC) is a facility responsible for controlling aircraft flying in a particular volume of airspace at high altitude between airport approaches and departures.

Spokesman for Aviation Division, Senior Joint Secretary Abdul Sattar Khokhar said this initiative will allow CAA to not only meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) obligations but also develop a world class Automated Navigation System (ANS) infrastructure sufficient to fulfill present and future operational requirements.

He said two area control centres have already been operational at Karachi and Lahore Airports.

The aviation secretary, while highlighting the importance of safe and efficient flight operations said that the implementation of ANP will modernise the ANS infrastructure and bring it at par with the world.

He noted that modernisation of all technical equipment will send a positive message to the entire world regarding Pakistan’s unflinching commitment towards safe air travel.

In line with the government’s resolve on the accountability and reform agenda, the Aviation Division and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority have embarked on the drive to ensure safety and security of passengers and airlines operations.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2020