Planes at Entebbe International Airport
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has successfully conducted a full-scale exercise at Entebbe International Airport to test stakeholders’ readiness to respond to a security bomb threat.
The exercise held on Thursday, October 26, 2023 simulated a scenario involving flight No. AF 347, with 40 passengers and 3 crew on board that notified Air Traffic Control of a bomb threat note discovered by a member of the crew in the aircraft lavatories as the aircraft was taxiing for take-off.
According to UCAA, all concerned airport stakeholders, including Airline operators, Ground handling agents, joint security operatives, United Nations, UCAA staff, health personnel and other government agencies have been involved to test their response in accordance with the security contingency plan.
The security exercise is a mandatory requirement for international airports of Countries of Contracting Member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to test their emergency contingency response plans and evaluate the communication processes, procedures, and methods in working with valued partners, stakeholders and government agencies.
Vianney M. Luggya, the UCAA Spokesperson says a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued to operators of commercial flights in and out of Entebbe International Airport alerting them that the exercise would be going on between 2.00 – 4.00 pm on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
UCAA last conducted such a full-scale security exercise on November 4, 2019.
