Airports of Mauritius Limited (AML) has decided to embark on the APEX (Airport Excellence in Safety) programme which is the global benchmark for airports worldwide for operational efficiency and safety standards.
The APEX Programme is based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards as well as Airports Council International (ACI) best practices. It combines the mandate for regulatory compliance with the day to day operational needs of airports to maximise operational efficiency while enhancing safety standards.
Serge Petit, CEO, AML, signed a declaration of commitment and collaboration with representatives of the APEX Review Team at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Plaine Magnien on January 20.
The APEX Team, comprising representatives from ACI World, ACI Africa, Airports Company South Africa, Aéroports de Montréal and the ICAO, will stay in Mauritius up to January 24 to conduct a safety review.
The team will further provide assistance in specific areas of interest such as runway safety, aerodrome certification, wildlife hazard management, emergency response, and contractual issues.
A Safety Management System (SMS) workshop will be held from 27 to 29 January for around 30 major airport stakeholders involved in the safety and efficiency of operations.
The aim is to bring synergy among stakeholders in the implementation of SMS initiatives while enhancing their knowledge and allowing them to pick up real change agents in view of enhancing security and safety systems.
Moreover, APEX provides several elements tailored to the individual needs of airports and proposes effective solutions geared towards upgrading the safety standing of the airports engaged in the programme through hazards and risks reduction.
Serge Petit noted that the vision of the government is to make Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International airport a model in the region, adding that AML is continuously working towards raising safety standards.
The APEX review reinforces the vision that modernisation of the airport should be in keeping with continuous focus on training, investment and implementation of standards and processes to achieve excellence in services offered, he stated.
A state-of-the-art security system is a key element to meet the complex security challenges of air travel, he said, adding that excellence in airport operations is essential to achieving better and higher results.
The CEO highlighted that over the past five years, more than Rs 40 billion have been injected in the setting up of the airport infrastructure, covering the new terminal and taxiway, amongst others.
Several infrastructural projects such as the construction of a new control tower, two new larger parking for bigger aircrafts as well as the refurbishment of the old passenger terminal are in the pipeline, he concluded.
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