Africa-Press – Cape verde. The National Airports and Security Company SA, through a press release, clarified today that due to the bad weather caused by the dry haze phenomenon, air connections between islands are cancelled.
“In recent days, as is usual at this time of year, we have recorded the presence of dry fog in the country, which significantly impacts atmospheric conditions, particularly visibility, with visibility records of 700 meters and, consequently, affects the normality of air operations at national airports, leading to disagreements and even flight cancellations”, reads the press release.
According to information provided by the ASA information service, this situation has generated different comments and opinions about possible solutions that could avoid these disruptions in air connections in Cape Verde, which explains that the country has four international airports and three domestic airfields.
Also according to ASA, the three domestic aerodromes, due to their infrastructural constraints, only operate in visual meteorological conditions, meaning they can only receive flights when visibility is five thousand meters or above.
With regard to international airports, it indicates that they are already prepared to operate in meteorological conditions in which there is no visual reference, as they have certain navigation support equipment, which guarantees the necessary safety for flights.
It also highlights that strong investments have been made in equipment/systems and flight procedures to improve the quality of services provided and improve the efficiency and safety of air operations at the aforementioned airports.
They inform that the equipment differs from airport to airport, and in the case of Sal Airport, an ILS System (Instrument Landing System) is implemented, which is, effectively, one of the systems that guarantees better precision in the operation and safety of aircraft.
This system installed at Sal Airport allows planes to land at this airport even in very low visibility situations (up to a minimum of 550 meters).
At Praia Airport, the note highlights, other types of navigation support equipment are installed (VOR/DME VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment), without the precision of the ILS, but which also allow operations in situations where there is no visual reference. .
“Recently, satellite-based flight procedures (GNSS procedures) were implemented at this airport, which allow operations in even lower visibility conditions than those permitted by VOR/DME Effectively with GNSS procedures, it is possible to operate at Beach in situations of visibility of 1,100 meters (a situation that, based on history, occurs very rarely)”, he highlights.
At Boavista Airport, he highlights, in addition to other equipment that has always existed at that airport, satellite-based flight procedures (GNSS procedures) have also been implemented since 2017.
These GNSS procedures, explains ASA, have had a very positive impact on the operability of this airport, and since their implementation, deviations or cancellations due to dry haze have been almost zero.
At São Vicente Airport, it clarifies that GNSS procedures have also been implemented since 2017, but that these procedures did not have the same impact as at Boavista Airport, due to the difference in orography (mountains) around the two airports.
The ASA also maintains that to make the most of any flight system or procedure, there is a set of safety conditions that must be met, namely certain safety areas that must be free from any obstacle.
In view of this, they explain that at São Vicente airport, “unfortunately”, there is a set of natural obstacles (terrain) that pierce the safety areas necessary to carry out flights in visibility conditions below 2,400 meters.
“With this information, we hope to have clarified public opinion on the issue of limitations on operations at national airports in situations of adverse weather conditions”, highlights ASA, appealing for the understanding of all interested parties regarding possible inconveniences caused by these dry fog situations. and thank everyone for their cooperation during these challenging times.
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