1.4. Methodology
This research is based on an analytical approach to assessing
ASECNA's capability to respond to airspace users' needs and requirements and
regional air transport's interests. To answer to the first research
question that aims at defining the needs and the priorities of African
Air Navigation, we process as follows:
First, the region's air transport industry is assessed.
This is done by examining local air transport characteristics:
1. Analysis of air travel demand
2. Assessment of air carriers types
3. Examination of air carriers performance
4. Examination of airport and alternative transport
infrastructures
5. Overview of regulations and the factors that influence air
traffic.
Secondly, the air navigation system's performance is
studied, by analysing key performance areas and related indicators:
Chapter 1 Introduction to Thesis
1. Traffic demand, Capacity, Delays
2. Complexity, Safety, Aircraft proximities
3. Performance of CNS and Met systems.
4. Fragmentation, Cost Effectiveness
5. Flight efficiency
6. Cooperation.
The analytical framework used is described in figure 1.2
below. The structure is based on a model developed by the Eurocontrol
Performance Review Commission to assess European Air Traffic Management
performance. It has been adapted for the present study.
Figure 1.2: Analytical Framework of ASECNA's performance
analysis
Performance
Drivers
Performance
indicators
ANS Key
performance Areas
Service
provision
cost
Flight
Efficiency
Fragmentation
Cooperation
Safety
Complexity
Traffic demand
AIRPROX
CNS Met
Systems
Availability
Delays
Productivity
Capacity
Cost
Effectiveness
ASECNA performance
Source: Eurocontrol, Performance Review Report 8, 2005
Finally, the impact of traffic growth is estimated. We apply
forecasted growth rates to current data, in this case 2003.
To answer to the second research question, which
aims at determining the relevance of CSN/ATM systems in ASECNA, we adopt the
following method:
Based on the system's deficiencies and local characteristics
drawn from the previous performance analysis:
1. Identification of potentially suitable CNS/ATM
technologies and systems based on FANS performance during worldwide trials.
These trials are performed under certain geographic and operational conditions;
some of them match ASECNA area's characteristics.
2. Their affordability is assessed At last, the third
research question is dealt with as follows:
1. Assessment of the technology solutions adopted
2. Assessment of the implementation process, and we analyse the
strategies in the areas listed below:
a. Communication
b. Navigation
c. Surveillance
d. Met
e. Air Traffic Management
f. Training
g. Programme financing
h. Cooperation
3. Assessment of the timeframe by confronting the predicted
timetable and realized projects.
When quantifiable data are not available, interviews allow to
have an idea of the situation. Interviewees are ASECNA's high profile staff,
airlines directors, and other ANSPs' personnel.
1.5. Structure of Thesis
The choice of performance areas is discussed in chapter 1. The
overview of ASECNA region's air transport industry is discussed in Chapter 2.
An insight of regional characteristics is given, which provides a better
understanding of the operational environment and the context, as well as the
importance of a performing air navigation system for the region. A detailed
analysis of air navigation systems' performance is provided in Chapter 3. Local
navigation characteristics are discussed, and predefined performance areas
presented in chapter 1 are examined. That allows highlighting the areas that
require improvements and to define what should be the priorities for the
region. Chapter 4 presents CNS/ATM systems and concepts and looks at their
potential benefits, with regard to local characteristics. Finally, the strategy
adopted by the agency to respond to those priorities is examined in chapter
5.
1.6. Data Sources
The instruments for this study include a one
week visit to ASECNA's headquarter in Dakar, Senegal, to collect data and
documents, to discuss with professionals involved in daily operations and to
observe the actual state of the implementation of the strategy on the ground.
Telephone interviews, email-statements, internet documentation are intensively
used. Key internet documents come from ICAO, ASECNA, IATA, and
CANSO8's CNS/ATM related literature.
1.7. Key Assumptions
The geographic boundaries of the study are clearly the region
covered by ASECNA. However, as ASECNA9 is part of the wider
geographic entity, the study of this region naturally implies to investigate
its interactions with the neighbourhood.
8 Civil Air navigation Services Organisation
9 Seen here as a region, not the organization itself
A key assumption in the study is that average economic and air
traffic prospects that are applicable to the African continent are applicable
to ASECNA. This is a sensitive approach as the economic characteristics of the
region are similar to the continent's patterns. However, the average growth
figures may be driven up by air transport leading countries. In particular, air
transport is less developed in ASECNA then Southern, Eastern Africa, and North
Africa.
Another key assumption is that the relative importance of
individual countries' air transport performance is frozen over the period
studied. Therefore, the relative importance of airports size and spatial
distribution of traffic flows within the region is supposed to remain
unchanged.
1.8. Choice of performance indicators
A large number of indicators could be used to assess ASECNA's
performance. How ever, for this study, several factors influenced the choice of
indicators:
The availability of data: several other indicators
could have been used but ASECNA does not collect the corresponding data.
Moreover, some chosen indicators could have been broken down into more detailed
data, but that has not been possible.
The effectiveness of chosen indicators in assessing an
ANSP's performance:
Safety, Capacity, Flight efficiency, Cost Effectiveness, cross
border cooperation are aspects of an ANSP operation that effectively evaluate
the quality of service provision.
Safety
Safety performance measures are hardly available in ASECNA.
However, indicative incidents reports are used to assess the safety level. A
comparison with other Regions' safety records with respect to the level of
traffic gives an idea of ASECNA's performance.
Capacity
Capacity is closely related to delays and the level of traffic.
Although delays data are not available, interviews allow having an idea of
influent factors.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Thesis
Flight Efficiency
The availability of a maximum number of direct routes and the
possibility to chose optimum flight levels are crucial to airlines as it allows
reducing their fuel bill.
Cost effectiveness
The bill paid by airlines for service provision depends on
ASECNA's ability to maintain low operating costs.
Cooperation
The level of technical and political cooperation indicates how
states and ANSPs work together to avoid unnecessary costs to airlines, and make
the airspace as seamless as possible.
1.9. Summary
This chapter laid the foundations for the thesis. It
introduced the research problem and questions: Will ASECNA meet the needs of
the African Air Navigation for the 21st century? In addition, what
are the problematic and the challenges related to the achievement of that
mission? The research was justified, and the methodology, based on an
analytical approach was detailed. Performance indicators have been presented
and discussed. Key assumptions were presented.
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