In a bid to improve provision of information on flights schedules and other related issues at major airports in the country, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) will soon introduce a new digital method.

The new method will send the information using ATS Message Handling System (AMHS) to cut down on time and human costs that were deployed using analogue system of Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN).

According to TCAA Director General, Mr Fadhili Manongi, the AMHS system will enable stakeholders to easily get information without visiting those centres at airports.

The project, he said, expected to begin before the end of this fiscal year-2012/2013. The AMHS also known as Aeronautical Message Handling System assists in collecting aeronautical ground to ground communications such as the transmission of flight plans or meteorological data.

Mr Manongi was giving a briefing in Dar es Salaam to a delegation from Communications and Transport Committee of the House of Representatives of Zanzibar. The committee paid a one-day visit to TCAA headquarters to learn various issues and exchange views on how to bring about development in aviation industry.

"This sector plays a great role to the country and is very important, facilitating tourism and other sectors that contribute significantly to the economy," said TCAA boss. Mr Manongi said aviation security especially at airports continue to improve through regulation and regular inspections in planes.

The DG noted that authorities responsible for aviation safety have been changing their systems according to changes happening worldwide. Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) and Abeid Aman Karume International Airport (AAKIA) continue fulfilling requirements for international airports status by receiving international flights.

One of the criteria is the construction of a fence around those airports in order to tighten security. The representatives thanked TCAA management for the good work they have been doing and that they will continue to cooperate for the growth of the aviation industry and the country in general.

The Chairperson of the Communications and Transport Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr Makame Mshimba Mbaruk, said that they will convince the government in the Isles to buy state-of-the-art equipment in order to improve security at airports.