BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – Belize has signed a US$8.5 million agreement to upgrade its air traffic control center.
A government statement said that Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation Andre Perez, who attended the 250th Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Central American Corporation of Air Navigation Services (COCESNA) in Spain on March 12, signed the multi-million dollar agreement for the acquisition of a new aviation primary radar and the upgrading of its air traffic control center.
It said the new primary radar would significantly improve Belize’s control centers and provide the opportunity to modernize its air navigation services, making them safer and more secure on a regional and international scale.
“The signing of this agreement marks a notable milestone for Belize’s aviation industry as it paves the way for providing advanced and dependable air navigation services to the global community. The Government of Belize remains dedicated to collaborating with COCESNA to ensure that its air navigation services adhere to global standards and enhance the safety and efficiency of air travel in the region,” the statement said.
Belize currently utilizes a secondary surveillance radar system that relies on signals transmitted by equipment on an aircraft to determine its location. The new surveillance radar will emit a signal that bounces off the plane to assess their positions, even in cases where aircraft are uncooperative or involved in illicit activities.
“Furthermore, the COCESNA board members have agreed to provide additional support to Belize to enhance technical capacity-building and legal reform efforts. These measures aim to ensure that Belize’s Civil Aviation Regulations fully comply with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. T
“The approval of this support demonstrates COCESNA’s commitment to improving aviation safety and efficiency in Belize and the wider Central American region,” the statement said.
COCESNA was established in 1960 as an international organization that integrated and coordinated air navigation services and aeronautical safety capacity-building in Central America.
Perez has since been appointed to the position of chairperson for the Finance Commission of the regional corporation.
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