The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
Aviation is one of the key sectors in which USTDA supports international development using U.S. private sector solutions. The growing need to upgrade airport terminals and air traffic control systems led USTDA to invest in 10 aviation projects in fiscal year 2007.
The following is an illustrative list of aviation projects that USTDA has supported:
East Asia
U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) – China’s rapidly growing aviation industry has challenged efforts to maintain effective safety and security operations. Recognizing a need, USTDA helped to structure the ACP with the goal of facilitating U.S. government and U.S. aviation industry training and technical cooperation in priority areas identified by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC). The program is supported by the ACP’s 28 U.S. private sector member companies and by public sector contributions from USTDA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the CAAC.
Europe and Eurasia
Afghanistan Aviation Law and Regulatory Framework Assistance – USTDA has provided $309,705 to the Afghan Ministry of Transportation for technical assistance in reviewing and reforming the country’s national civil aviation regulatory framework. The grant supports the development and modernization of the aviation sector throughout Afghanistan. AeroAdvisor Group, LLC of Fairfax, VA is providing the assistance.
Russia Krasnoyarsk Airport Hub – USTDA is providing $513,800 to partially fund technical assistance on the modernization and expansion of Krasnoyarsk Airport into a multimodal transportation hub. The TA will prioritize the project’s various components and develop the project to international standards. Simat, Helliesen and Eichner, Inc. is conducting the study.
Bulgaria Air Safety Technical Assistance – USTDA provided $200,060 to the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) for an air safety project. The CAA requested assistance in helping to establish the legal and regulatory structures needed to implement and enforce international standards. Robinson Aviation, Inc. provided the assistance.
Ukraine Bila Tserkva Cargo Hub Airport – A $238,843 grant to the Bila Tserkva City Council to help determine the feasibility of a proposed cargo hub airport in central Ukraine. This study builds upon the results of a previous report on a different locale, taking into account all relevant geographical considerations and updating traffic and revenue projections. SolidTeam LLC of Claremont, CA is performing the study.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Chile Central Zone Airspace and Airport Infrastructure – USTDA provided a $359,350 grant to the National Airport Directorate to identify infrastructure improvements needed to meet long-term aviation demands and the technologies that will optimize airspace use. The improvements will facilitate all-weather access to airports and improve air traffic control in mountainous areas.
Jamaica Air Jamaica Privatization – USTDA is providing two technical assistance grants totaling $820,180 to the Jamaican Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to facilitate efforts to privatize the Jamaican national airline, Air Jamaica. In collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, the objective of the grants is to develop a number of strategic options for the airline and provide recommendations on an appropriate legal framework for the privatization.
Mexico San Luis Potosí International Airport Runway Expansion and Modernization – USTDA is providing a $243,300 grant to Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. to expand the existing primary runway at San Luis Potosí International Airport in Mexico. The feasibility study will assist in accommodating current and projected passenger and cargo traffic volumes and addressing aircraft capacity problems due to limited taxiing and runway space.
Nicaragua Managua International Airport Expansion – USTDA has approved $324,180 to develop a plan for Nicaragua’s International Airport Administration on the modernization of Managua’s International Airport through the construction of a new air cargo facility, an improved runway airfield lighting system and an integrated security system. Implementation of these projects will improve Nicaragua’s commercial competitiveness and its capacity to take advantage of CAFTA-DR.
Colombia Civil Aviation Renewable Energy – A $700,000 grant to Aerocivil’s Civil Aviation Special Administrative Unit will be used to develop a plan for converting the power supply for remote air traffic control and weather monitoring facilities in Colombia from diesel generators to renewable energy sources. The project will allow AeroCivil to improve the reliability of its remote power supply infrastructure and reduce the cost of providing power to remote facilities.
Middle East and North Africa
Iraq Civil Aviation Reconstruction – USTDA is funding an orientation visit for delegates from the Ministry of Transportation, Iraq Civil Aviation Authority and Iraqi Airways. The visit will expose the delegates to U.S. technology, capacity, and regulatory practices in the civil aviation sector. The delegation will visit Washington, DC, Oklahoma City, OK, and Atlantic City, NJ.
Morocco Air Transport System Improvement Plan – A $605,584 grant to the Office National des Aéroports of Morocco is supporting the expansion and modernization of four major airports. The project will further promote economic growth by developing Morocco’s tourist sector. Squire, Sanders and Dempsey is providing the assistance.
South and Southeast Asia
Regional Asia Global Positioning System (GPS) Demonstration – USTDA approved $675,000 to support a GPS demonstration test bed project in Southeast Asia. The project is facilitating the research, development, acquisition, and implementation efforts of an operational air navigation system based on GPS and Wide Area Augmentation System technologies. ITT Advanced Engineering & Sciences International is providing the assistance.
Indonesia Airports Safety and Security Assessment – USTDA approved $443,500 for the Indonesian Directorate General of Air Communications to assess current safety and security procedures at Indonesia's airports and provide recommendations for improvement. Aerospace Services International, Inc. is the contractor for this activity.
Vietnam Aviation Safety Program – To support the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam’s efforts to comply with the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment program, USTDA is providing nearly $1M to partially fund, with industry and the Vietnam government, three phases of technical assistance on upgrading Vietnam’s air safety regulatory system. The assistance is the result of a previous USTDA-sponsored review by the FAA and is encouraging air safety partnerships and improving Vietnam’s aviation technology infrastructure. Robinson Aviation, Inc. was selected to provide the assistance.
U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) – USTDA launched the ACP in 2007, in cooperation with the FAA and U.S. aviation companies, to work directly with the Indian civil aviation sector on its modernization and safety priorities. Under this public-private partnership with the Indian government, USTDA sponsored an Aviation Cooperation Summit conference, a multi-phased Air Traffic Management Training Program, and a technical workshop on certification of India’s satellite navigation system, GAGAN. New projects, with substantial industry cost-sharing, are proposed with the endorsement of Indian civil aviation authorities.
Sri Lanka Airports Investment Development Program – USTDA provided a $422,800 grant to the Ministry of Ports and Aviation for the development of a comprehensive capital investment program for the country's civil aviation infrastructure. This assistance is focused on airside and groundside infrastructure upgrades and runway expansion options at Bandaranaike International Airport, and also includes analysis on upgrading and developing existing and greenfield airports in other parts of the country. The Louis Berger Group, Inc. is providing the technical assistance.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Zambia Airports Master Plan – A $725,050 grant to the Zambian Ministry of Communications and Transport, in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation and the National Airports Corporation Limited, is being used to develop a master plan for the airports of Lusaka, Ndola, Mfuwe, and Livingstone. Contractor selection is underway.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Air Traffic Management (ATM) – This regional technical assistance program, segmented into two phases, will develop a regional approach to CNS/ATM for COMESA member countries. USTDA has provided a $294,900 grant for Phase 1. The technical assistance complements two similar USTDA-financed projects currently being developed with the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community. Together, the studies will strengthen aviation safety and efficiency in the region. DORS, Inc. is providing the technical assistance.
East African Community Upper Flight Information – USTDA is providing $566,000 for a feasibility study on the development of an upper flight information region for the East African Community, made up of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The project's expected benefits include improved air traffic safety, coordination among the member countries, and increased revenues. DORS Inc. is carrying out the study.
Mozambique Airport Expansion and Modernization – This $444,806 grant is assisting Airports of Mozambique in determining the requirements of expanding and upgrading either the Nacala or Pemba airports. The study will focus on market forecasts and the technical, financial and legal viability of the project. Contractor selection is in progress.
Malawi Modernization of the Malawi Department of Civil Aviation – A $460,000 grant to the Malawi Ministry of Transport and Public Works will assist in establishing an autonomous civil aviation authority with a supportive legal and regulatory framework and adequate institutional capabilities. Competitive selection of the contractor to complete the technical assistance work is underway.
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