Iraq Government to assume all ATC in Iraq
The Aviation Regulatory Organization in Iraq, (ICAA) is moving towards taking over all aspects of ATC operations in Iraq. They have served notice that the ATC contract being fulfilled by the International experienced ATC contractor, SERCO will not be renewed at the end of this year. The ICAA will take over regulation, certification, training, and control of all ATC Operations without outside experience or assistance. The Iraq airspace is currently being operated and managed by SERCO. ATC expertise is currently supplied by a muti-nationally, accredited ATC work force that has on average more than 20 Yrs of ATC experience per controller. This experience is required to safely manage the outdated equipment that lacks any backup systems. There are no back up power sources, radios, computers or radar systems. Equipment failures are an everyday part of life. If the ICAA allows the contract with SERCO to expire, Approach control services in Iraq will be handled by Iraqi controllers with less than 10 months experience. Iraq currently does not have 1 Approach controller in training. ACC experience is equally lacking to handle busy traffic. Make sure TCAS is operational. Good Luck.