www.astra-aviation.com

A Fresh Approach to Aviation in Africa

Astra Aviation Services was formed as a group of companies in 2004 and started operations in February 2005. The companies were formed to provide ground handling and airline supervision services concentrating on the African market.

Ground handling operations in West, North and East Africa

Astra Aviation Services are actively working on projects to open new ground handling operations in West, North and East Africa. It is expected that 3 of these will become live during 2007.

Astra Aviation services have also created an Africa wide network of fixed base operations (FBOs) that covers 14 African countries.

Whilst setting up the ground handling division more and more requests were made for support and advice from airlines, airport authorities and other handling agents.

A corporate decision was made to develop a consultancy division to provide the requested services to the various sectors of the aviation industry and to also represent other aviation companies in distributing their products in Africa. Many of these products are safety related and have been sourced to help airlines, ground handling agents and airport authorities meet minimum ICAO and IATA requirements and recommendations. This company is UK based.

Astra aviation can also provide aircraft charter and brokerage services.

As well as in house consultants, Astra Aviation Services have a growing number of “Associates” to provide specialist expertise.

Through Astra’s procurement specialists most airport, airline and ground handling agent ground support products can be sourced. They are marketed on our website as the “Astra Aviation Shop”. This ranges from ear defenders through to main deck loaders. Astra Aviation also have a South African registered company to provide Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services to the aviation industry across Africa. These services include financial accounting, airline revenue accounting , manpower management –roster management and training services.

Astra Aviation’s consultants and “Associates” can provide services relating to:

Aerodrome Consultancy:-

The Aerodrome consultancy team work at large, medium and small airports on all Continents. They provide efficient and cost effective solutions for Airports, Airlines, Regulators and Governments. Their reputation for delivering high quality Training and Advice has been recognised by ICAO and ACI who contract their services.

• Provide Confidential Safety Audits / Inspections to determine current levels of compliance with National and International Standards (ICAO).
• Design and write Safety and Emergency Plans for Airports including Aerodrome Manuals.
• Write and establish comprehensive Safety Management Systems for Airports in accordance with International Regulatory Requirements.
• Design and Manage Emergency Exercises to test an Airports Emergency Plan.
• Provide advice on Aerodrome Developments such as New Runways, Capacity Enhancements, Runway Extensions, New Aprons and Runway Resurfacing.
• Provide advice and audit / inspection reports as part of an airport procurement process.
• Undertake Operational Readiness Programs for new Airports and new Airport Infrastructures.
• Procure equipment or services to meet an airport’s specific requirements.
• Establish staff competencies and test the competency of Airport Operational Safety staff.
• Design and “run” desk top exercises to test different aspects of an Airports Safety and Security procedures eg – Low Visibility Procedures, Aircraft Accident, Aircraft Hijack.
• Assist with the recruitment of Airport Technical or Senior Managerial staff.
• Design and deliver Training Programmes for Operational Staff.
• Design Pavement Maintenance Schemes for Airports.
• Provide advice on Aerodrome Obstacle Control and undertake Surveys.
• Provide advice, event management and speakers for “Special Events” eg. Conferences, Exhibitions, Opening Ceremonies,(Previous experience includes Olympic and Commonwealth Games, UEFA Champions League Final, opening new Runways and Terminal Buildings).
• Undertake Risk Assessments and provide comprehensive Safety Cases for new procedures and developments.
• Undertake Pavement Surveys, Strength Testing and provide analysis.
• Design and offer advice on Airport Visitor Centres and Exhibitions.
• Assist Airports with their Master Planning and future budgeting processes.
• Offer advice on new Commercial Opportunities, Special Events, Organisational Structures and Legal Issues.
• Provide Senior Operational Managers for long or sort term periods.
• Provide advice on Aerodrome Ground Lighting and Monitoring Systems.
• Provide Project Management Support for all Airport Developments.

Aerodrome Safety Training

Courses, Workshops and Seminars are specifically designed to meet the individual Business requirements of Airport Operators

All training is undertaken at a location of your choice.

The Training is delivered by fully qualified staff who have worked at a Senior Level at International Airports.

All participants receive comprehensive notes and a Certificate / Diploma upon completion of the training.

The Training is delivered using the latest technology making excellent use of photographs and Case Studies which enable the delegates to learn from industry “Best Practice”.

If required the Training will be specifically designed for your airport using local procedures currently in place or those proposed for the future.

The subjects listed can be delivered as Courses, Workshops or Individual Training Sessions as part of a pre-organised Training schedule ie 1, 2, 3 or 5 days. Advance Courses are designed around 10 working days and include visits to Aerodromes.

Training Course Objectives and detailed contents can be provided upon further request.

Airport Master Plans & Project Management

We can offer a comprehensive service to airport authorities that are planning the expansion or modernisation of their airport. These services include inter alia:

• Comprehensive audit of existing facilities, pavement surfaces, documentation, manpower, landing aids, AGL, emergency facilities and airport procedures.
• Definition and design of facility upgrades required followed by comprehensive technical and functional specifications for tender action.
• Design of Passenger and cargo terminals.
• Specification & Project Management of Runway and Taxiway/Apron extensions.
• Aerodrome Ground Lighting – Specification, Installation etc
• Air Traffic Fast and Real Time Simulation for capacity reviews.
• Runway Noise contouring
• Radar and ILS implementation and calibration
• Land Use Planning
• Environmental Impact Analysis

Airline Safety and Security Consultancy and Training

We have provided safety and security training and auditing to a number of airlines and their service providers this year. We have also advised on safety and security management programmes for start up airlines that include the creation of “compliance boards” to ensure the effective management of all ground safety incidents.

We have carried out quality reviews and assessments of ground handling agents and also assisted in the negotiation of ground handling agreements and SLAs.

We are able to write Emergency Plans for airlines at a network or station by station level and advise on the provision of customer contact centres and the information flows necessary to minimize the distress caused in such incidents.

Our security consultants are ICAO and IATA approved and are licenced to provide training by the UK DfT. They are able to write Aviation Security Plans at the airport and national level and also to assist airlines in the set up of the security management organization.

For further information please look us up at

Web: www.astra-aviation.com
e-mail: airports@astra-aviation.com

 

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