New professionals are part of a program to upgrade civil aviation.
The government of Equatorial Guinea graduated its first class of air traffic controllers in Madrid last week. Eight new professional air traffic controllers received diplomas after completing a 13-month course conducted by Services and Studies for Air Navigation and Aeronautical Safety (SENASA), a subordinate company of Spain’s Ministry of Development.
The controllers received training on generic aeronautical subjects and intense training control tower and approach simulators. The course had three phases over its 13 months—beginning, advanced and emergency.
The training is part of a program to upgrade the country’s civil-aviation infrastructure as part of the Horizon 2020 development plan. Equatorial Guinea’s fast-growing economy has created increased demand for air travel, and the country recently upgraded the airports serving its two largest cities, Malabo and Bata, and the island of Annobón.
Fausto Abeso Fuma, Equatorial Guinea’s Delegate Minister of Civil Aviation, attended the diploma-presentation ceremony along with Purificación Angue Ondo, Equatorial Guinea's ambassador to Spain.
Equatorial Guinea’s national carrier, Ceiba International, has been operating for the past two years both with national and international flights to destinations including Spain, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast and Senegal. The country is currently served by major international carriers including Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia, and Ethiopian Airways.