By Lyna Mohamad
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Upgrades and improvements have been stressed upon by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in its continued pursuit of ensuring the growing requirements of public safety and comfort, in light of several recent events that have affected the aviation industry, both locally and abroad.
In a press statement released by the DCA yesterday, one of the areas in which it has been concentrating on is "the system upgrading of drainage and air-conditioning... (as) the overflowing of water at the Arrival Hall last January 15 was beyond expectations".
As a precautionary measure, the department has vowed to take "swift action" by carrying out inspection and repair works on the water drainage system at the airport, including cleaning and repair works, as well as modification of the drainage system.
Repair and maintenance works for the past few years have been on the department's efforts to upgrade and ensure that the facilities and comfort of airport users are in perfect shape.
Aside from ensuring that the flash flooding incident is minimised in future, the DCA stated that it is also continuously implementing essential steps to improve its human resource capabilities by sending its officers and staff, as well as those from other airport agencies, to partake in courses locally and abroad.
"These upgrades serve to ensure that the efficiency and skilful levels of officers and staff carrying out services and security of the Brunei International Airport in particular, are at par with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and current requirement," the statement said.
Through the allocation of the National Development Plan, the DCA listed out further purchases and fixing of new closed circuit televisions to augment the monitoring of security at the premises, as well as the purchase of two bomb containment units as a place for destroying of explosives.
"DCA, in increasing the safety and security of its restricted areas, has also stressed on the using of colour code vehicles that are only allowed to operate at the airside areas, including the suggestion to move its headquarters from the restricted zone that have been planned and will be implemented at the beginning of the year," the statement said.
The facilities and comfort of passengers have also not been overlooked, as the DCA, with the cooperation of HSBC, have already established a 'Zen Garden' as a recreational area particularly for long haul transit flight passengers, which was launched by the Minister of Communications recently.
In a further bid towards transparency and customer care, the DCA also expressed its hope to the general public visiting the airport and those doing transactions at the airport to help look after the facilities provided and lodge any suggestions or complaints by contacting officers on duty at airport counters or through their numbers 2344112 or 2331065/2330142 ext 1352, as well as through the department's website at www.civil-aviation.gov.bn. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
