About PASO

The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) is an international organisation providing quality aviation safety and security service for Member States in the Pacific.

PASO is the sole international organisation responsible for regional regulatory aviation safety oversight service for the 10 Pacific States who are signatories to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST).

The current PICASST signatories are the Pacific nations of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Associate Members of PASO are Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Government representatives from these nations make up the PASO Council.

International agencies supporting PASO includes: Airways New Zealand, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA), Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA Australia), Civil Aviation Safety Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ), Government of Australia, Government of New Zealand, Government of Vanuatu, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), USA Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), and the World Bank (WB).

PASO is a member of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) and is supported by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). PASO is the only CROP agency permanently based in Vanuatu.

PASO is a Regional Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (RSOO) recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

History

The concept of a Regional Safety and Security Oversight Organization (RSOO) for the Pacific was born on 7 August 2004 when the PICASST was signed. The original four signatories were Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu.

PASO, as an organisation, was created in 2007. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided a loan of AUD 1.6M to support the establishment of PASO. The Pacific countries of Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu act as guarantors to the ADB on behalf of all PASO Members.

The main objectives for the PICASST and the initial ADB support was to set up an international organisation that could foster harmonisation of regulatory frameworks of Pacific Member countries, ensure airline compliance with international standards, and establish a regional surveillance and inspection system.

Vanuatu Hosting Agreement

The PASO Office was established in Vanuatu in 2007, with the support of the Government of Vanuatu through a Hosting Agreement. Under that Agreement, the Vanuatu Government provides office facilities and an annual operating budget, including funding for six Ni-Vanuatu staff to coordinate the work of PASO and provide administrative support.

A new Hosting Agreement was signed between PASO and the Government of Vanuatu in May 2018 for an indefinite time. This new agreement cements the strong relationship between PASO and Vanuatu for the region and delivers much needed support to PASO.

Chairman of PASO, Mr Wilson Sagati (Left), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Vanuatu, Mr Ralph Regenvanu (Right), signing the new Host Agreement on 8 May 2018 as part of the PASO Council’s Annual General Meeting held at the Warwick Hotel, in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Last Updated on January 18, 2023

PASO

An international organisation providing quality aviation safety and security services for Pacific Member States.

Generously hosted by the Republic of Vanuatu.

Tel: +678 28500
Email: info@paso.aero

PO Box 139
Nambatu
Port Vila
Vanuatu

About PASO

History

Vanuatu Hosting Agreement

Subscribe

PASO

Quick links

PASO

Priorities

Quick Links