Tanzania finally hands over Rwanda’s upper airspace

The Government Tanzania has signed a deed of handover with Rwanda for the provision of Air Traffic Services in Rwanda’s upper airspace above 24500ft.

This followed Rwanda’s notification of intention to withdraw her delegation and directly discharge her responsibility of providing air traffic services in her upper airspace.

The l Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) Director General Hamza Johari center signs a deed of handover for the provision of Air Traffic Services in Rwanda’s upper airspace. Looking on at the left is the Director General of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) Silas Udahemuka. Photo / Courtesy.

The signing event took place in Kigali, Rwanda earlier this week with Tanzania’s delegation led by the Director General Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Hamza Johari while Rwanda was led by the Director General Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) Silas Udahemuka and witnessed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Infrastructure Abimana Fidéle and Regional Director of ICAO Eastern and Southern African (ESAF) Barry Kashambo.

Rwanda’s upper airspace was delegated to Tanzania in 1970s for provision of air traffic services. Among the reasons that were put forward by Rwanda to request the airspace was to improve safety in Kigali Flight Information Region (FIR) as well as meeting regulatory requirements such as Search and rescue (SAR) obligations.

Following several coordination meetings led by ICAO, Rwanda was permitted to continue with the process to take over the airspace.

Apart from the signing event, the DG TCAA Johari also visited Kigali International Airport and held a meeting with aviation stakeholders including the management of Rwanda Airports Company and Rwanda CAA. They shared experiences and best practices in regulatory services.