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One of the challenges faced in aviation today is that there are aerodromes declared as international yet they are not in the real sense. It is now encouraged to list the operating aerodromes in their actual status in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). This will improve the picture of the global statistics. As long as an aerodrome does international traffic, under ICAO it is deemed an international aerodrome.

On 22^nd August, 2016 at the ICAO Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) regional office in Gigiri, Kenya, the Regional Director launched a project for the certification of aerodromes in the region that were yet to be certified. The event was attended by participants from States of the ESAF region Zambia, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Seychelles, Rwanda, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and invited guests from ICAO Western and Central Africa (WACAF) regional office, CASSOA and Airport Council International (ACI). This project is in line with the ICAO goals, strategies and activities for improving safety in the AFI region in the area of Aerodromes certification under the ICAO theme No Country Left Behind which was launched in 2014.

The theme No Country left Behind has responsibilities for global, regional and State levels with objectives by end of 2025 among which there must be:

• No fatal accidents in regular commercial flights
• No country with less than 40% Effective Implementation (EI) in all audit areas
• No country with an uncertified aerodrome

In the field of Aerodromes and Ground Aids (AGA), only 6 States in the ESAF region are above 60% EI. It is for this reason that ICAO ESAF set key performance objectives for this project in 2016 as:

• 70% of States in the region to achieve above 60% EI
• Certification of at least 45% of all international aerodromes in the region (7 States were identified as beneficiaries – Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Uganda, and Rwanda)

The Beneficiary States are expected to:

• Endorse the AFI Plan project for aerodrome certification
• Nominate focal points for implementation of the project

Annex 14 under Standard 1.4 Certification of aerodromes gives the requirement for States to certify aerodromes used for international transport. An overview of the requirements for aerodrome regulators and operators is as follows:

Responsibilities of regulator

• Regulatory framework
• Organisation and staff
• Guidelines and tools
• Certification and SMS acceptance
• Surveillance activities
• Enforcement

Responsibilities of operator

• Org and staff
• Documentation including SOP
• Aerodrome manual
• Compliance of facilities, equip and services
• Implement SMS
• Runway safety programme (establish runway safety team)

The certification of aerodromes is carried out under a 5 Phase process (Pre-application; formal application; document evaluation; assessing aerodrome facilities, equipment and service; issuance of the certificate).

During the launch of the project, it was emphasised to the Beneficiary States that their Civil Aviation Act must provide for provision of aerodromes and who oversees the operations of these aerodromes. It was also noted that most of the aerodromes aren’t certified because they have not implemented the SMS – Safety Management System. Before the grant or refusal of an aerodrome certificate, the CAAs will have to involve all the stakeholders (ANSP – Air Navigation Services Providers, aerodrome operator, and handling services at aerodromes)

Assistance and benefits of AFI Plan aerodrome certification project

The Project will last for a period of 12 months and is expected to cost $ 72,886 out of the AFI Plan budget. The implementation agencies will be the RSOOs (CASSOA, SASO) and ICAO ESAF.

Project phases

The project has 7 phases as follows:

1. the launch,
2. a workshop for AGA inspectors on familiarisation,
3. submission of Action Plans for certification to ICAO for review,
4. monitoring implementation plans,
5. preparedness review for certification,
6. on-site visits, and
7. wrap up mission

States are expected to contribute to the project to top up on ICAO contributions where necessary.

Presentation by Tharkudi Rishi, Director ACI

Mr. Tharkudi Rishi, a Director with ACI made a presentation on Aerodrome certification supplementary programmes (RS, CAPSCA, APEX) and Runway Safety Programmes – support teams (CANSO, IATA, etc.)

Participants were informed that APEX was designed to support airports in identifying and mitigating safety vulnerabilities. Its review is conducted over a one week period and covers:

• Runways, taxi ways, aprons
• Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting
• Pavement and movement areas

Closing remarks

During  closing remarks, the WACAF RD said he was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the Beneficiary States of the project. He underscored the point that the approach taken is a cost effective one where the States benefit. This is the 4^th out of 10 projects by ICAO that was started this year. He assured the States the support of ICAO in the implementation of the project.

On his part, the ICAO ESAF RD informed the participants that ICAO is going through a revolution since the ICAO Council has over the times devolved responsibilities to the regional offices. He thanked the CEOs for sacrificing their time to come to the launch of this vital project, the first project to be launched in his region.

In line with the EAC Treaty and Development Strategy, the EAC Information Resource Centre (IRC) has embarked on digitizing the EAC integration information and knowledge, which constitute the EAC Institution Memory and Heritage. In support of this initiative the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a Regional Technical Working Group for Information Resource Centres (EAC/SCMEAP22/Decision15). With support from GIZ, the
IRC embarked on establishing a ‘One Stop Shop’ – a resource discovery platform that will provide a single access point to all the EAC information and knowledge, which is available in various data silos of EAC Organs and Institutions.

The IRC team together with the Consultants from GIZ has worked tirelessly for the last six
months to finally have the following products in place:-

a) A Web Portal (elibrary.eac.int) and Information Repository (repository.eac.int);
b) Guidelines and Manuals; and
c) An Information Repository Policy

it is standard practice to regularly carry out maintenance work on aerodrome pavement areas. With the growing civil aviation activities within the region and recovery from war times, the Burundi Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) has embarked on an exercise to rehabilitate the aerodrome movement areas and construction of a modern air traffic control tower.

The BCAA made use of the EAC policy on sharing of technical resources as spelt out in the harmonised EAC Order CAA-O-GEN004D to seek CASSOA’s intervention in coordinating the technical support from Partner States. The purpose was to get technical advice on the best option of rehabilitating the aerodrome movement areas and erection of a new modern control tower at Bujumbura International Airport following a comprehensive evaluation.

CASSOA identified skilled experts from Uganda and Kenya and the team carried out their task from 21^st – 23^rd March 2016. The comprehensive Report on the technical mission was handed over to the Director General of Burundi CAA on 5^th May 2016 during the 34^th Board Meeting. Four key recommendations were made in the Report, namely:

1. There is need to establish the Pavement Classification index (PCI) of the pavements at Bujumbura International Airport. There is need for a consultant(s) to be identified in order to carry out a scientific study known as a Pavement Condition survey that will generate a PCI number for the pavements.
2. There is need for a consultant and contractor to be appointed/engaged in order to carry out design, supervision works and construction works related to rehabilitation of movement areas runway and construction of parallel taxiway and rapid exit taxiway to meet ICAO runway code 4E specifications and separation requirements. The construction works shall include markings and painting.
3. There is need for a consultant to be appointed/engaged in order to carry out design and supervision works for the proposed new control tower and office block. The team further recommended a control tower whose height shall be at least 21 metres above ground level to be taken into consideration.
4. The Agency should continue to support Burundi in the implementation of this project through supervision up to completion. This should be done with the technical staff of Bujumbura International Airport so as to equip them with technical skills necessary for future pavement management.

It was all smiles during the 34^th CASSOA Board Meeting held on 5^th – 6^th May 2016 in Entebbe, Uganda. The Agency Secretariat informed the Board of the developed EAC Model Surveillance Course developed by CASSOA in conjunction with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

The Surveillance Course Development Team convened at Naivasha, Kenya, from 25^th – 29^th April 2016 to review the contents of the approved Surveillance Programme and develop a draft Surveillance Course. The team developed the modular structure of the Surveillance Course and identified Reference Materials which will be used by the Curriculum Development Unit officers during the development of the Course.

Other than the Federal Aviation Administration, the EAC is the only Region which has developed the Surveillance Course based on its Regulations and Technical Guidance Materials.

The new Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Liberat Mfumukeko, took on the mantle of the Community on 26^th April 2015 upon the expiry of the successful contract for Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera on 25^th April 2016. The new Secretary General hails from Burundi while his predecessor is from Rwanda.

Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko takes the reins when the Community is faced with a number of challenges, the political situation in Burundi and the funding of the Secretariat being just a few of them. The Secretary General has set pace by meeting the EAC staff in their various categories. On 16^th May, 2016 he met the Heads of EAC Organs and Institutions in Arusha, Tanzania during which meeting he exchanged ideas with the executives. He underscored the point that his aim was not to prove or make his predecessors to appear as though they never achieved anything, rather, he is bent on getting the best practices implemented for the good of the Community. Key among the outcome of the meeting was the need to revisit income and expenditure practices.

As of now, only 65% of earmarked contributions for the FY 2015/2016 budget have been received from Partner States. A meeting with the EAC development partners is scheduled on 26^th May 2016 in Dar es Salaam in order to brainstorm on the best funding mechanism for the Community.

Rwanda hosted the 5^th Aviation Stakeholders’ convention on 7^th – 9^th May 2016. During the convention it was observed that the cost of air transport in Africa is still high despite a reduction in oil prices. In fact statistics indicate that travelling within Africa is more expensive when compared to travelling outside the continent.

Kigali International Airport. Photo courtesy of New Times (Rwanda)

During the convention, Mr. Barry Kashambo, the International Civil Aviation Organization Eastern and Southern Africa (ICAO ESAF) Regional Director was optimistic that African Airlines will play an imperative role in championing Africa’s Agenda 2063, given the resources and a conducive business environment. Africa’s Agenda 2063 is geared towards pushing the continent effectively towards building on the already existing progress while strategically exploiting all possible opportunities available in the immediate and medium term to ensure socio-economic transformation within the next 50 years.

This is possible only when market players and policy makers embrace smart regulations to help enhance competitiveness and efficiency.

The East African Community States are committed to ensuring a safe, secure and efficient aviation industry. For that reason, following the ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme of Continuous Monitoring Approach, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Kenya (who were among the first ICAO Contracting States to undergo such an audit) of September 2015, Uganda and Rwanda are in high gear preparing for their audits that have been scheduled for 2016.

One of the main functions of CASSOA is to assist the Partner States in meeting their safety and security oversight obligations and responsibilities under the Chicago Convention and its Annexes. Therefore, as CASSOA worked closely with Tanzania and Kenya in their preparations for these audits, it is doing the same for Rwanda and Uganda. Tanzania and Kenya scored way above the average required score. CASSOA is now assisting the remaining Partner States in preparations for their audits in order to score above the required average, as well.

EAC CASSOA
Plot 41-43 Circular Road,
P.O. Box 873, Entebbe, Uganda
Website: www.cassoa.org
Email: cassoa@cassoa.org
Tel. +256-414-322047
Fax: +256-414-322049

Download PDF: [media-downloader media_id=”819″ texts=”East Africa Gears up for ICAO USAP CMA Audits”]

In accordance with Article 134 of the Treaty, the Books of Accounts of the Community for the year ended 30th June 2015 were audited by the EAC Audit Commission between October and December 2015. The Audit covered the East African Community Organs and Institutions, among which was CASSOA.

On 11th December 2015, the East African Community Auditors General convened in Arusha, Tanzania, to consider the Report of the EAC Audit and Risk Committee for the year ended June 2015. Following the Auditors General consideration of the Reports, the Auditors General gave CASSOA an unqualified opinion. The final reports were signed on 20th January 2016.

This is the 8th Unqualified Opinion in a row on the Financial States of CASSOA ever since the
Agency became operational in 2007. The Report of the Audit Commission for the year ended 30th June 2015 will be submitted to the 33rd Ministerial Session of the Council on 29th February 2016 for onward transmission to the East African Legislative Assembly for debate.
Download PDF: CASSOA gets Unqualified Opinion on Statement of Accounts

Dear CASSOA Stakeholders and friends of the Agency,

It’s the end of 2015 and CASSOA has witnessed a number of achievements in the aviation industry both within and outside the region in the course of the year. Our development partners, namely; International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and AviAssist continued to offer us their technical assistance in capacity building.

The Agency was nominated to the ICAO AFI Security and Facilitation Committee in May 2015 and the continent has also been blessed with the establishment of the headquarters for the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations (AATO) in Addis Ababa following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and ICAO on 20th October 2015.

The Agency has seen a growing relationship with the operators as implementation of one of the resolutions from the EASA sponsored workshop on the Certification of Approved Training Organisations (aviation) that was held in Addis Ababa from 21st– 22nd October. One of the air operators in the region, Precision Air, successfully completed the re-certification process as per the harmonized EAC civil aviation safety Regulations while Kenya Airways and Fastjet Airlines are slated for early 2016.

As we wind up 2015, the Agency is faced with the challenge of formulating harmonized regulations on the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly known as drones among the general population, in the region. However, this is not only a challenge for EAC but for the rest of the aviation world.

I wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas holiday season. Thank you for your support during 2015 and I look forward to the same in the New Year 2016.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016

Robert Nviiri
Executive Director
EAC CASSOA

Download the PDF verstion 2015 Christmas Season Greetings