Panama. – The Department of Airports (DA) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began collaborating to establish improvements that will optimize airport operations in the country.
It was highlighted that this is the first time that this type of presentation of FAA airport procedures has been made to a country, in addition to the fact that more than four million North American passengers travel to the country each year.
During a meeting led by DA Director Víctor Pichardo and FAA Director for the Western Hemisphere, Melvin Cintrón, several key points were identified to be addressed within the framework of cooperation, including the creation of a National Airports Program to monitor improvements and implement technologies.
Also, the creation of infrastructure for advanced mobility, green airports; wildlife control at new airports, such as Cabo Rojo International Airport in Pedernales and El Granero del Sur domestic airport in San Juan; as well as cooperation in training airport inspection personnel.
In the framework of the meeting, held at the FAA offices, located at the U.S. Embassy in Panama, Víctor Pichardo highlighted the Dominican government’s interest in being at the forefront of international best practices for the National Airport System.
“This also serves as a great value to strengthen the proposal we are working on to begin the review and update of the DA regulatory framework,” Pichardo stated.
For his part, Melvin Cintrón noted that this is the first time this type of procedure has been presented to a country, and indicated that approximately four million North American passengers travel to the Dominican Republic each year.
“It is important to see the Dominican government’s desire to raise traveler safety expectations; we want a safe hemisphere, and this type of engagement is key to achieving those goals,” Cintrón noted.
The FAA has 42,000 people working worldwide and is present in 35 countries and 22 territories.
In addition to Cintrón, FAA representatives included Giles Strickler, regional representative for Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic; Chris Rucker and Lourdes Ecker, officers.
Participating virtually were John Dermody, FAA Director of Airport Safety and Standards; Michael Meyers, Airport Engineering Division; Alberto Rodríguez, foreign affairs specialist for the Office of Airport Safety and Standards; and Valeria Rodríguez, official for Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, among others.
