Writes Leo Odera Omolo

As the East African Community (EAC) common market gains momentum, efforts are underway to enhance aviation security standards to boost the industry and trade in the region.

To this effect, the EAC Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) has established offices at the Entebbe International Airport to serve as a focal point for the five states in the regional trading bloc.

Kategaya (right) launches the regional aviation headquarters as Nasasira cheers David Ssempijja

CASSOA is a specialised agency that ensures the development of a safe and secure civil aviation industry in the region.

“Efforts geared towards meeting aviation safety and security will make our airports and airspace safer.

“This will attract more airline operators into the region, hence a booming regional aviation industry,” said the EAC affairs minister Eriya Kategya.

He was launching the regional headquarters at Entebbe last week. He said East Africa had a challenge of meeting the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

“As you are aware, our region’s airspace is at times regarded as insecure, especially by the western world,” he said. John Nasasira, the transport minister, and regional aviation chiefs attended the function.

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