As part of a short tour of the region, Visual Managing Director, Michael Rowland paid a visit to the AACC and Training Centre of Maldives National Air Traffic Service (MNATS) at Velana International Airport in Male (below).
In the past five years, the expert team at MNATS have implemented local training programs in Enroute/Area and Approach control that had previously been outsourced. Additionally, over this period, airspace and procedure changes have been promulgated to modernise and streamline arrivals procedures. This is evidence of a forward-looking and dynamic organisation.
The Approach Control environment at Velana is perhaps unlike any other in the world, given the intense seaplane activity into the adjacent seaport, operating alongside a busy international runway that connects the Maldives to more than 30 destinations across 20 countries.
We extend our thanks to Mr Shahid Hussain (General Manager – ATS, pictured above) and his team for a warm welcome and an insightful discussion on the unique challenges of ATC training in this extraordinary environment.