By Fiscal Posts
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has completed the installation of new Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) systems in 26 airports nationwide as part of efforts to enhance safety, efficiency, and technological advancement in the aviation sector.
Speaking at a sensitization workshop in Lagos, NAMA’s Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr. John Tayo, described the modernization of the AFTN as a major step in strengthening Nigeria’s aeronautical communication infrastructure. He noted that while the system still runs on the X.25 protocol, it now leverages global satellite facilities, offering greater reliability, wider coverage, and faster message transmission.
Tayo stressed that AFTN remains the backbone of aeronautical communication worldwide, ensuring timely meteorological updates, rapid dissemination of urgent messages, and reduced delays in communication between air traffic control units. He added that it also guarantees global interoperability through ICAO’s standardized protocols and serves as a dependable backup to the Air Traffic Service Message Handling System (AMHS).
The installations, he explained, expand national coverage, reinforcing Nigeria’s integration into the global aviation community and providing a resilient platform to support growing air traffic.
The workshop, according to NAMA, aims to train technical and operational staff on the features of the new systems, build capacity for troubleshooting, and promote best practices in aeronautical communication management. Tayo urged participants to maximize the opportunity, stressing the agency’s vision of building a world-class communication system that meets international standards.