First up, we have news of more funding for New Zealand's aerospace strategy. An additional $12 million will be invested into the strategy on top of the $15.7 million from last year. The strategy will span the current decade and is built around five goals, including active space exploration and drone services.
Next, there's airport news from the UK with a new back-up control tower at Heathrow. The Virtual Contingency Facility (VCF), which is due to be operational in 2025, will be installed by NATS and will be based at the airport. NATS and Heathrow are working to increase the capability of the VCF to enable it to operate at 100% during the second phase of the project.
In more airport news, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and UK Strategic Command (UKStratCom) have awarded RAF Akrotiri with a £66 million contract for a new terminal, including a new passenger and freight handling facility. This forms part of the APOLLO Programme to upgrade much of the infrastructure of MOD sites in Cyprus.
And in news from Asia, Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), was re-appointed Chair of the Asia Pacific Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) CEO Committee and member of the CANSO Executive Committee. Mr Han was first appointed Chair of the Asia Pacific CANSO CEO Committee in August 2021 and will serve another two-year term.