Civil Aviation tops non-oil sector investment

The greater part of the $500,000 credit from the US Government, targeting the first stage of the “Studying the air traffic control systems in the Caucasus” project, is earmarked for realization of the Azerbaijan project, experts of the US “Northrop Grumman” company said Friday.

As part of the first stage, materials have been collected to develop a strategic business plan for integration and development of the regional air traffic control system, civil aviation infrastructure, technical development concept and financing schemes in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Implementation of the project has been vested in the US Trade and Development Agency (TDA).

In his recent meeting with the general director of “Azerbaijan Hava Yollari” state concern Jahangir Asgarov, the project executive Bruce Howard said, “The assessment work undertaken in Azerbaijan is excellent. The Air Traffic Control system is in full conformity with international requirements, while the airport terminal, its equipment and AzAL personnel are simply remarkable”.

The next stage of the project, due in late August, calls for an analysis and summary report on the basis of materials collected, while a complete business plan will come out in November.

J. Asgarov indicated that of all non-oil economic sectors the civil aviation one has drawn the highest investment volume of $200 million.*