Air navigation services
Delivering globally acknowledged performance in communication, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management fields.
The directorate
Headed by the Air Navigation Services Deputy Director General, this directorate has successfully navigated turbulent situations to attain its present high-status performance.
"ICAO Eastern and Southern African Regional office today acknowledges the Air Navigation Services of Ethiopia as one of the best in terms of implementing the Regional Air Navigation Plan."
97% Airspace coverage
Covered by reliable Extended VHF radio communication linked to the Control center via VSAT and UHF.
Advanced navigation aids
Reliable VOR/DMEs, ILS, and GNSS implemented for en-route and terminal navigation.
Surveillance & redundancy
Visual control upgraded via Primary/Secondary Radar and six ADS-B systems with redundant power.
Core service directorates
Air traffic services
Managing safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of national air traffic.
Access servicesCommunication navigation & surveillance
Maintenance and implementation of advanced CNS/ATM systems.
Access servicesAeronautical information services (AIS)
Ensuring the flow of information necessary for flight safety.
Access servicesAir space management directorate
Strategic planning and configuration of the Ethiopian airspace.
Access servicesAir Navigation Service Safety Policy Statement
A Corporate Commitment to System Resilience, Hazard Identification, and a Proactive Safety Culture under the ICAO SMS Framework.
“Ethiopian Civil Aviation Air Navigation Service Division, as the national Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) for ETHIOPIAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY, affirms that safety is the highest priority in all aspects of our operations. This Safety Management System (SMS) Policy Statement defines our unwavering commitment to the systematic identification, assessment, and mitigation of safety risks associated with the provision of air navigation services.”
Regulatory Context & Objectives
This brochure is published under the Safety Promotion component (Pillar 4) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Management System (SMS) framework. Safety Promotion ensures that all personnel are fully aware of the organizational safety line, responsibilities, and mechanisms that contribute to continuous improvement.
Our division has established a proactive, data-driven, and performance-based SMS fully aligned with ICAO Annex 11 (Air Traffic Services), Annex 19 (Safety Management), and relevant PANS-ATM operational guidance. We recognize that the safe, efficient, and resilient delivery of air traffic services, communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS), aeronautical information, and airspace management is fundamental to the integrity of both the national and international civil aviation system.
Safety Is A Shared Responsibility
Management at all levels within the Air Navigation Service Division is strictly accountable for providing strong leadership, adequate resources, and a supportive environment that empowers every single employee to actively participate in safety management workflows.
Executive Policy Commitments (A - I)
With the shared commitment of our leadership and personnel, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Air Navigation Service Division will systematically fulfill the following structural safety mandates:
a) SMS Integration
Implement and maintain a fully compliant and effective SMS that integrates safety into all operational, technical, and managerial processes related to Air Navigation Services.
b) Proactive Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
Proactively identify hazards and assess associated risks through systematic processes including operational risk assessments, change management reviews, and safety assurance activities before, during, and after service delivery.
c) Personnel Competence & Empowerment
Ensure all safety-critical personnel are trained, competent, and empowered to fulfill their SMS roles and responsibilities, including hazard reporting, risk mitigation, and active participation in safety investigations.
d) Just, Informed, and Reporting-Friendly Culture
Promote a just, informed, and reporting-friendly safety culture, underpinned by non-punitive reporting policies and transparent communication of safety information across all levels of the organization.
e) Data-Driven Performance Metrics
Utilize safety data and performance indicators from internal and external sources (e.g., occurrence reports, safety audits, ATC quality assurance, CNS monitoring) to continuously monitor system health, detect emerging operational threats, and measure SMS effectiveness.
f) Continuous SMS Evolution
Continuously improve our SMS through regular management reviews, internal audits, robust safety performance analysis, and the active incorporation of lessons learned from incidents, audits, and international best practices.
g) Stakeholder Collaboration
Collaborate closely with civil aviation regulators, airspace users, adjacent Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), and international stakeholders to share vital safety information, align on regional risk controls, and enhance the overall safety of the air navigation system.
h) Formal Change Management Reviews
Ensure that all structural changes to operational procedures, technical technology, physical infrastructure, or airspace design configurations undergo a formal, rigorous safety assessment as a mandatory part of our change management process before implementation.
i) Strategic Resource Allocation
Allocate sufficient financial, human, and technical resources to continuously sustain and enhance the SMS framework, ensuring the long-term reliability and operational resilience of our air navigation services.
Scope of Application
This safety policy applies universally to all personnel employed by or acting on behalf of Ethiopian Civil Aviation in the delivery, support, or management of air navigation services within Ethiopian airspace across the following vital specialized areas:
ATS
En-route, Approach, and Aerodrome Air Traffic Control (ATC) operational capacities.
CNS SYSTEMS
Infrastructure engineering, maintenance, and system integrity support.
AIS / AIM
Guaranteeing data accuracy, management, and secure global distribution.
AIRSPACE DESIGN
Terminal charting reconfigurations and structural airspace architecture.
Fostering a Just and Learning Culture
Our commitment to a Just Culture means the organization explicitly recognizes that operational errors can occur due to systemic human factors. We foster a trusted environment where safety concerns can be reported openly without any fear of unjust reprisal, and where lessons from occurrences, audits, and assessments are utilized exclusively to drive continuous systemic improvement.
The Boundaries of Non-Punitive Reporting
While the Division operates under clear non-punitive reporting policies, it is critical to note that protection from disciplinary action does not apply to acts that represent gross negligence, willful misconduct, or deliberate violations of civil aviation rules and standard operating procedures.
Staff Guidelines: Actions to Take
To ensure this policy statement transitions from a high-level corporate document into daily operational practice, every staff member is expected to adhere to the following behavioral protocols:
Identify & Monitor
Actively maintain situational awareness in your workspace. Routinely check CNS equipment health, sector capacity constraints, and data accuracy.
Report Without Hesitation
Utilize the Voluntary Safety Reporting System (VSRS) or Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR) channels immediately upon discovering an operational deviation or system degradation.
Engage with Change Management
If participating in projects involving technology updates or airspace alterations, ensure a formal safety assessment is documented.
Participate in Appraisals
Actively share constructive feedback during internal quality assurance audits and safety performance analyses.
SMS Administration & Directorate Contact
For any inquiries regarding this policy statement, to request safety data briefs, or to submit voluntary safety performance insights, please contact the Safety Management System & Quality Assurance Directorate directly via:
Yohannes Abera
Director General
Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority
Official Signature