Wakiso – Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has Thursday conducted a full-scale exercise to test stakeholders’ readiness to respond to a security bomb threat at Entebbe International Airport.
The exercise simulated a scenario involving flight No. AF 347, with 40 passengers and 3 crew on board that notified Air Traffic Control of a bomb threat note discovered by a member of the crew in the aircraft lavatories as the aircraft was taxiing for take-off.
“All concerned airport stakeholders, including Airline operators, Ground handling agents, joint security operatives, United Nations, UCAA staff, health personnel and other government agencies have been involved to test their response in accordance with the security contingency plan,” said Vianney Luggya the Manager Public Affairs at UCAA in a statement on Thursday evening.
The security exercise is a mandatory requirement for international airports of countries of contracting member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to test their emergency contingency response plans and evaluate the communication processes, procedures, and methods in working with valued partners, stakeholders and government agencies.
Luggya said a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued to operators of commercial flights in and out of Entebbe International Airport alerting them that the exercise would be going on between 2.00 – 4.00 pm.
UCAA last conducted such a full-scale security exercise on November 4, 2019.
