Page 6 - AM230823

6 AWEMainta Diaranson, 23 Augustus 2023

Rainbow Warriors Core Foundation

Meteorological service of Aruba deficient

and liability to civil aviation in Aruba

THE island of Aruba just celebrated its 100 years of civil aviation with
festivities and revealing a majestic statue marking the 100 year milestone.
Yet civil aviation is facing many challenges, asides from transitioning to

sustainable aviation practices and the Aruba Airport Authority meeting
many hurdles on the path to becoming a certified sustainable develop-
ment compliant airport operator. To operate as an airport requires many
certifications, most of these imposed by the International Civil Aviation

Organization and also the World Meteorological Organization. Weather
forecasts for civil aviation require certification and minimal operational
standards to be met by the national Meteorological Service of Aruba. And
it is here where our airport is now facing a serious problem. On August

21, tropical storm Franklin brought some heavy rainfall to Aruba. The last
weather update from the Meteo Aruba was dated August 21 8.00pm. It was
seriously deficient, and as of 4.20pm August 22, had not been updated.
Because both civil aviation authorities, the airport operator and the

tourism industry and the public at large must be able to rely on depend-
able, professional and correct weather forecasting to conduct business
and ensure public safely, Meteo Aruba is now falling short on meeting with
the minimum requirements as a certified and official weather forecasting

service and jeopardizing civil aviation and public safety.