ICAO To Visit Haiti To Assess Aviation Infrastructure

ICAO To Visit Haiti To Assess Aviation Infrastructure <

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ICAO To Visit Haiti To Assess Aviation Infrastructure By Antonio Percy (See ICAO To Assist In Reconstruction Of Haitian Air Transport System)

		March 9, 2010 - A multi-disciplinary team from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is conducting a three-day mission to Haiti to assess the status of the aviation infrastructure in the country following the January 12th earthquake and to recommend a course of action for reconstruction and assistance. From March 9 to 11, ICAO officials will assess airport and air navigation facilities and services, flight operations, and aircraft handling. They will also review assessment reports prepared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the military of the United States. The mission will also discuss with Haitian authorities the use of ICAO’s Technical Cooperation Program to administer and deliver donor assistance for the reconstruction of the aviation system and for strengthening the Office national de l’aviation civile (OFNAC) of Haiti. The overall objective of the mission is to ensure that the reconstruction and future development of the Haitian civil air transport system conform to ICAO globally recognized standards, as well as national and regional air navigation plans. It is also to avoid duplication of efforts and overlap in offers of assistance by donor States or organizations.

The mission is led by the Director of the North American, Central American and the Caribbean Office of ICAO, Mrs. Loretta Martin, with officials from the regional office and ICAO Headquarters in Montreal. It is coordinated with the United Nations and Haitian government authorities, including the OFNAC. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti, severely damaged the airport's air control facility, rendering it inoperable. The government of Haiti asked the U.S. government to help with a solution. In response, the FAA produced a mobile control tower used for relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In mid January, in a true demonstration of the international support of the relief efforts in Haiti, U.S. Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration officials paired with a Russian airlift contractor to deliver a mobile air traffic control tower out of Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida to the Aeroport Toussaint L'Ouverture in Port-au-Prince. The structure is currently used as the airports air traffic control tower until a permanent facility can be rebuilt, according to FAA officials.

The Antonov An-124 from Polet Airlines, the world's largest cargo aircraft, arrived at Homestead Air Force Base. More than 100 Airmen helped position the equipment on the flightline and assisted the Russian crew as they loaded the aircraft. Mikhail Trapeznikov, the An-124 flight manager and radio operator, said he and his team are proud to be a part of this mission. "We've done a lot of (humanitarian) missions," Mr. Trapeznikov said. "It's nice to be a part of it."

In addition to the Air Force and Polet Airlines, other organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the FBI also contributed to the effort, Mr. Wall said. The mobile air traffic control tower took approximately 48 hours before it become fully operational.

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