A new regional aviation body was launched yesterday and one of its main tasks is to assist member states in meeting their obligations to the Chicago Convention by achieving and maintaining full compliance with the recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) was launched yesterday at the Caricom Headquarters and according to Caricom Secretary-General Edwin Carrington the body will facilitate and promote the development and harmonisation of civil aviation regulations, standards, practices and procedures among those states that it represents.
Ironically the launching of the body was delayed due to the ongoing air traffic controllers strike in Guyana as delegates were unable to arrive on time since all night flights to this country have ceased temporarily.
CASSOS replaces the more informal arrangement of the Regional Aviation Safety Oversight System (RASOS) and according to Carrington it provides the platform for establishing a Regional Civil Aviation Authority.
He said also that the entity as a regional institution will provide on request technical guidance to participating states on all matters within its competence relating to civil aviation.
“Its mandate also includes the mobilization of financial and other resources from the international aviation and donor community and government agencies to support activities,” he said.
The organisation is expected to have an impact on the cost savings achieved by member states through the pooling of the region’s technical and other resources and the human resource development and compliance by member states with ICAO standards and recommended practices.
Carrington said such compliance will enhance safety and security as well as the competitiveness of regional carriers in international air transportation and consequently the tourism sector.
The organisation’s board will report annually to the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) which will provide general directions.
According to Carrington the nexus between the two bodies provides, for the first time, a formal mechanism whereby directors of civil aviation would be able to benefit from ministerial policy guidance and the community will be kept informed of significant developments in international civil aviation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds while describing the launching of the body as a good step noted that there are more steps to be taken and he urged the organisation to lead the way in the merging of member states as was implied in the community’s move towards the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). Hinds also expressed the hope that as the organization moves from strength to strength, non-CARICOM members would see the importance of joining CASSOS.
Also speaking at the launch were Anthony Archer, Director, Civil Aviation, Barbados and Outgoing Acting Chairman of RASOS; Loretta Martin, ICAO Regional Director, North American, Central American and Caribbean Office, Mexico; Maria DiPasquantonio, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Senior Representative for Canada and the Caribbean; and Mtesigwa Maugo, Executive Director, East African Community (EAC) Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency.
