The successful regulatory reforms of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and the means to achieve further progress were the focus of discussions between ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Greece Kostas Karamanlis, HCAA Governor Christos Tsitouras, and ICAO Europe and North Atlantic Regional Director Nicolas Rallo.
During the meetings, which took place in Athens on 1 July 2022, Mr. Salazar commended the authorities of Greece for reforming the HCAA in accordance with ICAO guidance, which resulted in separation between the civil aviation regulatory authority and service providers, and additionally developed the HCAA as a more competitive employer. The Secretary General also highlighted the dynamism of the State’s civil aviation sector, as illustrated by the strong rebound of operations in the State, with traffic levels in 2022 well above the 2019 levels.
Capitalizing on this success and momentum, Mr. Salazar and Dr. Tsitouras signed a “Project Document” to support Greece in its efforts to achieve further progress. It builds on a "Management Service Agreement" (MSA) reached by the two organizations in May 2022, and indicates services to be provided by ICAO to HCAA. Through technical cooperation, accompaniment, knowledge transfer, capacity building and management services, this ICAO project will further strengthen the HCAA, and enhance the State’s safety oversight capabilities in an effective, efficient and sustainable manner.
The Secretary General’s mission to Greece also included meetings with the Governor of the Air Navigation Service Provider (HASP), Mr. Georgios Dritsakos, and with the leadership of air operators Aegean and Sky Express and of aerodrome operators Athens Airport and Fraport Greece.
