Global Priorities — All Strategic Objectives — No Country Left Behind Initiatives — Regional Office Achievements

 

Regional Office Achievements

The following is a list of the main achievements attained by the Regional Offices in 2016. Though not exhaustive, the list provides a comprehensive overview of the work undertaken in the calendar year by each Regional Office.

Asia and Pacific Office (APAC)

The APAC Combined Action Team (CAT) missions to 11 States resulted in the improvement of Effective Implementation (EI) rates by 10-15 per cent within one year. APAC has commenced development of the Asia/Pacific Development and Planning Tool (ADAPT), which will drive future support mechanisms. Two meetings of the Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Team (APRAST) and one Regional Aviation Safety Group – Asia and Pacific (RASG-APAC) meeting were also completed, and the APAC Annual Safety Report 2016 was published.

The Asia/Pacific Seamless ATM Plan was updated and the percentages of States submitting information increased (to 67 per cent for Seamless ATM reports and to 74.3 per cent for data for the Plan’s priority elements). An Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) Block 1 was reviewed and provided to Headquarters to aid future development of the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). The Asia/Pacific Framework for Collaborative ATFM was also updated to include new implementation guidance material. Air traffic flow management/collaborative decision-making (ATFM/CDM) implementation in High Density Flight Information Regions (FIRs) improved to 80 per cent, and 61 per cent of all FIRs were reported to have implemented ATFM/CDM.

To support strategic planning and training partnership purposes, the Regional Aviation Security Coordination Forum Asia Pacific (RASCF) facilitated the identification of common States’ concerns. The development and implementation of Aviation Security State Improvement Plans (ASIPs) also progressed, and support was provided to States on meeting cargo and mail security requirements.

The Asia/Pacific Search and Rescue (SAR) Plan was also revised to include a 41-element monitoring programme for SAR implementation. SAR capability (of at least 75 per cent as measured by the Asia/Pacific Capability Matrix) reached 41.9 per cent for year-end 2016 (18 administrations).

The Regional Airspace Safety Monitoring Advisory Group (RASMAG) continues to work proactively to identify safety hot spots and major concerns related to airspace safety and ATM datalink performance which have been highlighted to Regional Monitoring Agency Scrutiny Groups.

Volcanic ash exercises featuring the exchange of AIS/MET information, collaboration between operational units, and enhanced situational awareness and CDM were undertaken in Indonesia (VOLPHIN16/01) and the Philippines (VOLPHIN16/02).

APAC became the first region to define its own ionospheric threat model (focusing on SBAS- and GBAS-based operations). Surveillance of South China Sea high-density traffic was enhanced, and the transition to the global Frequency Finder VHF band management tool was achieved.

Eastern and Southern African Office (ESAF)

Regional Office Safety Teams (ROST) missions supported 50 per cent of ESAF’s accredited States: Angola, Djibouti, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Namibia was also provided with briefings to enhance Corrective Action Plan (CAP) implementation, raise awareness of online framework (OLF) activities and provide guidance necessary for the improvement of safety and security oversight and EI.

Support was also provided to ICAO’s Monitoring and Oversight Branch with regard to the implementation of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA) and other activities such as ICAO Coordinated Validation Missions (ICVMs), integrated off-site validation activities (IVAs) and audits for Benin, Egypt, Guinea, Kuwait and Togo. ESAF ensured the effective implementation of the ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP–CMA) in the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya and Swaziland by performing pre-audit liaison and assessment functions. Assistance to States in the form of Aviation Security Improvement Plans (ASIP) was also coordinated for Madagascar and Comoros, and also extended to Djibouti, Malawi and South Sudan.

ESAF convened, steered and/or coordinated a variety of events, including:

ESAF supported the development of an Action Plan to implement the Windhoek Declaration and Targets in coordination with the Regional Aviation Security and Facilitation Group for AFI.

ESAF effectively  contributed to the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) study on “Fostering Africa’s Growth: The Aviation and Tourism Policy Convergence,” and made presentations at several regional aviation forums.

Together with WACAF, ESAF conducted the Sixth Meeting of the AFI DGCAs (AFI DGCA/6) and developed an action plan to promote DGCA’s commitment and the effective implementation outcomes.

European and North Atlantic Office (EUR/NAT)

No Country Left Behind efforts resulted in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan resolving three significant safety concerns (SSCs) and in the establishment, with no additional resources, of a regional capacity-building programme. Six NCLB-related projects were also developed and launched to:

Planned USOAP CMA and USAP-CMA activities (including five USOAP audits, five ICVMs, and three off-site validation activities) were successfully supported, with direct support provided to the third EUR Region USAP-CMA audit seminar.

The development of State action plans for environmental protection was also supported.

The regional safety and system performance monitoring structure (EUR RMA, EUROASIA RMA, NAT CMA, NAT DLMA) functioned successfully, with EANPG and NAT SPG endorsing the annual reports.

Updated contingency arrangements have been developed and coordinated with the European Aviation Crisis Coordination Centre (EACCC) and the EUROCONTROL Network Manager.

Significant enhancements in capacity, efficiency and fuel and emission savings were achieved. North Atlantic minimum navigation performance specification (NAT MNPS) airspace was discontinued and transitioned to North Atlantic high level airspace (NAT HLA) to support the implementation of PBN and harmonization of approval requirements for aircraft operators, and a NAT performance-based communication and surveillance (PBCS) implementation transition strategy has been approved to enable reduced separation minima and performance-based operations. The Free Route Airspace concept implementation progressed in the Western part of the EUR Region, and the application of the concept was reaffirmed and clarified for the NAT Region operations. The Airspace Improvements and ATS Route Development Groups enabled 570 further improvements. Progress was also achieved in Baltic, Balkan and Persian State interface areas.

An initial NAT Space-based ADS-B Concept of Operations and Business Case Analysis has been developed.

EURNAT cooperated with the UN Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) and Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) New York to assist in Advance Passenger Information (API) implementation following UN resolution 2178 and cooperated with the NATO-Eurocontrol ATM Security Coordinating Group (NEASCOG) in the field of cybersecurity. The Office also coordinated with the World Health Organization (WHO), Regional Training Centres of Excellence (RTCE) and the Global Aviation Training (GAT) Office to develop an ICAO training package (ITP) for aviation medicine while observing an increase in the number of Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) EUR Member States.

Middle East Office (MID)

The Global Ministerial Aviation (GMA) Summit endorsed the first Regional AVSEC/FAL Declaration (Riyadh Declaration), enabled the establishment of the MID Implementation Plan (MIDIP) and supported the implementation of priority regional projects.

A draft No Country Left Behind Strategy was developed for the Region. Undertaken NCLB assistance resulted in:

The Middle East Regional Monitoring Agency Board (MIDRMA) global positioning system monitoring unit (GMU) monitoring activities recorded height-keeping performance monitoring results for 94 per cent of aircraft, the world’s highest.

The MID Region ATM Contingency Plan was implemented as were ATS routes network improvements. A set of actions/recommendations for the implementation of ATFM was agreed on at the ICAO ATFM Seminar.

MID was the first Region to complete and approve Electronic Regional Air Navigation Plan (eANP) Volumes I, II and III, providing a prototype for others. The first MID Air Navigation Report and regional guidance material on AIM planning and implementation were also developed.

Five RASG-MID Safety Advisories (RSAs) were published by the Office. The 4th edition of the MID Annual Safety Report was endorsed, and the draft 5th edition was developed.

MID conducted the Third MID Region Safety Summit and High-Level Briefing/Meeting to DGCAs and CEOs and the Second ICAO Global Aviation Dialogues (GLADs) on market-based measures.

A High-Level Agreement between South Sudan and Sudan and an agreement on Juba FIR were also reached.

The MID Office bi-monthly Newsletter was launched, a successful new initiative to promote ICAO and the Regional Office activities and success stories. The initiative was commended by all stakeholders.

North American, Central American and Caribbean Office (NACC)

All NACC States committed to the Declaration of Intent for Implementing the NACC NCLB Strategy.
 
Approximately 65 per cent of the NACC States had USOAP EI at the 60 per cent to 70 per cent range as of the beginning of 2015. Based on NACC NCLB Strategy implementation, three of the States in this category achieved the NACC target of over 80 per cent EI.

Haiti funded and is executing an Action Plan for the elimination of Haiti’s SSC, as part of a Technical Assistance Project.

Four USAP-CMA audits were carried out, resulting in a regional average increase from approximately 66 per cent EI to 81 per cent. Commitment and agreement with regards to the long-term resolution of a Significant Security Concern (SSeC) by an affected NACC Member State was also achieved, and a potential SSeC was eliminated.

The signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between two regional safety oversight organizations (RSOOs) in the Region (COCESNA/ACSA and CASSOS) was also facilitated and achieved. This joint initiative will assist the process of resolution of the Haiti SSC, which has been delayed for a number of years.

The NACC Regional Office also initiated and received support for the “champion state” commitment under the NCLB Strategy.

An initial regional commitment for the development of a Training Centres Association was accomplished.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Bahamas committed to ensuring programmes are funded and tied to ICAO SARPs compliance.

The average number of yearly airport certifications increased from 4 to 6 certifications to 23, while the resolution of “urgent” air navigation deficiencies increased from an average of 3 to 4 per annum to 12.

Implementation of the MEVA III Network reached 100 per cent, and all regional NACC networks maintained a performance of 99.9 per cent availability and efficient operation. Nine new ATS routes were implemented, and 15 existing routes are under final revision as part of the process for the optimization of the CAR PBN airspace. Significant progress on the implementation of NAM/CAR Air Navigation/ASBU targets was also achieved.

South American Office (SAM)

USOAP EI scores increased on average by 4 per cent, compared to an historic yearly increase of 1 per cent. Four SAM States increased their USOAP EI by more than 15 per cent, and the Region’s two SSCs were eliminated. Under the AVSEC USAP, EI in the Region reached an average of 76.17 per cent. Airport certification and PBN implementation surpassed the “Bogota Declaration” targets. PBN has reached 75 per cent of terminals, 72 per cent of en-route international aerodromes having implemented SID/STAR PBN, and 65 per cent of the upper ATS routes. In addition, the first edition of Latin American Aviation Regulations for Air Traffic Management (LAR ATM) and model regulations for AIS, MAP and MET services were issued, and four multinational oversight inspections of approved maintenance organizations (AMOs) took place.

More than 285 days of assistance and 60 hours of virtual assistance were provided to Uruguay, Paraguay and Guyana under SAFE Fund projects (coordinated between IMP-SAF, RO, SRVSOP and ARCM). SAM also coordinated 93 horizontal cooperation missions among States and the provision of 158 days of instruction by the LATAM RSOO. This involved 28 courses (among them the GSI ANS) for 603 technical specialists in the areas of AIR, AGA, ANS, PEL and OPS, online GSI OPS for 26 operations inspectors from nine States, and the review of 35 LAR documents, covering all areas.

Eleven States have signed the ARCM (SAM RAIO) Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on aircraft accident investigations and Annex 13 compliance. A State safety programme (SSP) implementation assistance package to States has also been initiated, beginning with a two-year SSP pilot implementation project involving six SAM States.

The incorporation of ALACPA (Regional forum for pavements improvement) and CARSAMPAF (Regional Forum for Wildlife Hazards) into the GREPECAS programmes and projects methodology was also realized.
 

Increased levels of EI of Safety Oversight in all but two States, and a maintained record of zero SSCs avoiding the emergence of any new ones, resulted from intensified Regional Office Safety Team (ROST) assistance missions, guidance in the implementation of States’ Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), and ICAO USOAP CMA and USAP-CMA activities.

No Country Left Behind projects targeting Civil Aviation Authorities, States with EIs below 60 per cent, and State-specific ICAO Plans of Action were launched, and the Air Operator Certificate On-the-Job-Training (AOC-OJT) project was implemented successfully in Niger. Additionally, WACAF technical staff executed 135 missions (accounting for more than 610 person/days) and participated in more than 210 meetings. This included working with nine States to facilitate the certification of their international aerodromes through the AFI Plan Project, three Airport Excellence-Safety (APEX) reviews, and the establishment of Runway Safety Teams at four airports. Six States were supported with the implementation of Aviation Security State Improvement Plans (ASIPs). Nigeria received assistance with the development of its national ATM Contingency Plan, in coordination with adjacent States and FIRs, and AFCAC was supported in the implementation of the AFI Cooperative Inspectorate Scheme (CIS) project as a means to assist AFI States address deficiencies identified by the USOAP audits.

Technical support and assistance for Aeronautical Information Service to Aeronautical Information Management (AIS-AIM) Transition covering the entire AFI region was provided through workshops and preparations for work to be undertaken by the AFI Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APIRG) Project Teams. WACAF facilitated the implementation of the Aviation System Block Upgrades – Block Zero (ASBU B0-AMET) module elements adopted by APIRG through ROST missions, and assisted progress under national PBN implementation plans. The implementation of ATS Incidents Analysis, pursuant to the AFI ANS Performance target, was supported by the organization of joint workshops with the United States’ FAA.

The launching of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) Commission was a milestone event for development of AIG in the Region. This was augmented by the hosting of regional seminars organized by ICAO’s AIG Section and Airbus. WACAF also commenced the implementation of the AFI Search and Rescue Project for WACAF States.

Together with ESAF, WACAF organized the Sixth Meeting of the AFI Directors General of Civil Aviation (AFI DGCA/6) and the development of an action plan to enhance DG’s ownership of the event and the effective implementation of its outcomes.

WACAF also supported the implementation of States’ Action Plans for CO₂ emission reduction.

Achievements concerning more than one Region

In 2016, more than one Regional Office contributed towards the following achievements: