We offer you the message from the Minister of Transport, Urban Mobility and Road Safety on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day celebrated on December 7. This year, the day is commemorated under the theme: innovation for the development of civil aviation
The global aeronautical community celebrates International Civil Aviation Day every December 7. Established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), this day offers the opportunity to raise awareness among the public authorities of the 191 Member States and national and international opinions on the importance of civil aviation in socio-development. economic and cultural of a nation.
The commemoration of this International Civil Aviation Day this Thursday, December 7, 2023 takes place in a context dominated by the terrorist hydra in Burkina Faso and the Sahel States.
The theme chosen this year 2023, like the last four years, is: “innovation for the development of civil aviation”
Through this theme, ICAO invites its Member States to promote innovations and make it a culture to improve the quality of our lives. It is in this register that the use and operation of remotely piloted aircraft, commonly called drones, falls. Indeed, it is clear that drones are used for military, security (territorial surveillance, military activities) and environmental purposes through agricultural production. In addition, drones are used in mining operations, land registers and media coverage. For better operation, the Government of Burkina Faso through the ministry in charge of civil aviation has revised the provisions of the civil aviation code to take into account the conditions for purchasing drones, its use and operation. in Burkina Faso. Order No. 2019-0013/MTMUSR/SG/ANAC of May 6, 2019 clarified the technical conditions for operating civil remotely piloted aircraft systems.
In the register of innovations in the service of civil aviation there are two pillars which establish the essence of civil aviation. This is about aviation safety and security.
With regard to these two pillars, it should be noted that the issues and challenges to be met in the air transport industry are of several orders. Indeed, global trade flows are growing at an exponential speed. Annual international passenger traffic on air services is expected to reach six billion by 2030 from 3.3 billion today. Air cargo transported is expected to increase from 50 to 125 million tonnes. In view of this development, the security of air transport services was reviewed under the aegis of UEMOA through the holding of a security test audit workshop from October 9 to 13, 2023 in Ouagadougou. The implementation of the conclusions of this workshop will allow good connectivity to respond to the challenges of the moment. In addition, the establishment of a planning framework will be necessary at the international, regional and national level to manage this growth within the required standards of safety, security and efficiency. In this vein, the exponential increase in passenger and freight flows around the world requires us to significantly reduce fuel consumption by aircraft with a view to protecting the environment. The introduction of new technologies through the use of sustainable alternative fuels responds to these challenges. The “CORSIA” program is the reference. As part of the testing process for the said program, our country was selected and is at this stage in the capacity building phase.
In Burkina Faso, the year 2023 was marked by progress in the implementation of the Search and Rescue Operations Center for aircraft in distress (SAR). It is worth remembering that the SAR is characterized in our African States by the relatively low level of activities and mainly by the insufficiency of financial resources.
For its part, the Government of Burkina Faso has inserted into the civil aviation code, provisions relating to financing from the State budget of search and rescue services for aircraft in distress. The funding received by ANAC made it possible to hold a training session for search and rescue service mission coordinators for aircraft in distress during the month of August 2023. This session made it possible to mobilize the various stakeholders with a view to seeking pro-active responses to save lives and aircraft in distress through the operationalization of the Search and Rescue Center for Aircraft in Distress (SAR).
The commemoration of the International Civil Aviation Day offers me the pleasant duty of translating on behalf of the Government of the Transition and on my own behalf, my sincere recognition and my encouragement to the large family of the national aeronautical community for the influence of civil aviation in Burkina Faso.
I urge him to meet the short, medium and long term challenges with the same momentum of solidarity, mutual aid and pragmatism for innovations in the service of the development of civil aviation.
Long live ICAO!!!
Long live AFCAC, AAMAC and UEMOA,
Long live civil aviation in Burkina Faso for more resilient and secure air transport!
Thank you !
Anûuyirtole Roland SOMDA
