News – Pacific Aviation Safety Office

Regional solutions for Pacific aviation security resilience

October 2, 2020/in News /by Lisa Macalister

PORT VILA: The strategic benefits of regionalism, good governance and strengthening Pacific aviation safety and security in the face of COVID-19 disruptions were the key areas discussed at this week’s Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) Council of Directors’ Meeting.

The PASO Council meeting was attended virtually on Wednesday, 30 September 2020 by eight of the 10 signatories to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) and three Associate Member States.The PASO Council of Directors, comprising mostly of State Senior Transport and Aviation officials from the Member States of the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu together with representatives from Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand resolved to pursue innovative ways forward for aviation safety and security in the Pacific. Tuvalu provided an apology.

To strategically progress the strengthening and collaboration of regional aviation, COVID-19 response and recovery, the PASO Council recommended holding a virtual Regional Aviation Ministers’ Meeting (RAMM) in 2021, possibly in April.

“The RAMM presents a unique opportunity to progress regional collaboration and solutions for Pacific regional aviation safety and security and recovery. We are stronger when we work together and support each other,” said PASO Chairperson, Mr. Magele Hoe J. Viali.

“This Ministerial meeting also provides an opportune time to reset the strategic landscape in our Blue Pacific region for air connectivity and economic recovery. The last Ministers’ Meeting was held in 2016 and much has changed, especially with the economic and social disruption of COVID-19,” said Mr. Viali.

PASO will work cooperatively with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS), other CROP Agencies, non-PASO Members including the Northern Pacific States and French territories, and international aviation partners including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to progress arrangements for the RAMM.

The PASO Council discussed the continued negative impacts of COVID-19 on PASO operations, which has resulted in challenges to PASO’s regional aviation oversight service delivery, where on-site audit and certification activity has been prevented because of travel restrictions. The decrease in aviation activity has resulted in a significant reduction in Member demand for PASO services.

“PASO’s current operational focus is on delivering practical solutions to meet our Member’s current oversight service needs and being prepared for the expected surges in future demand when regional aviation activities resume as COVID-19 related disruption and travel restrictions ease,” said PASO’s General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.

“The PASO Council supported our current safety oversight model, which is now is being fine-tuned to enable off-site certification audits by our Members via their civil aviation authorities with off-site support delivered remotely from PASO,” said Mr. Valentine.

The PASO Council also supported ongoing development of an integrated and harmonized system to achieve a comprehensive aviation safety system for the Pacific region. Under the Programme, PASO’s Member States will eventually be able to access common technical resources managed by PASO to demonstrate their compliance with ICAO’s Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), which underpin global aviation safety oversight.

The Council were advised that Members would be invited to engage in the programme. A State engagement group will be established to provide input into the development of the resources, and support and champion the implementation of the resources within States.

“This approach is innovative and provides a pathway for a Pacific-wide harmonisation of the core regulatory and organisational systems supporting aviation safety,” said PASO Chairperson, Mr. Viali.

“For this strategic program to succeed, and for us all to take full value from this opportunity, our Members will need to work in close collaboration with PASO. It ultimately provides the foundation to develop PASO as a central provider of a wider range of regulatory services.”

The PASO Council also endorsed PASO’s COVID-19 business continuity planning and discussed financial modelling and annual business planning. The Council agreed to start a review of progress against the current Strategic Plan (2018-2022) and also commence planning for PASO’s next Strategic Plan.

“PASO will continue to connect closely with our Members to understand their operational challenges, provide technical support, and advocate on their behalf to our strategic partners,” concluded PASO’s General Manager Mr. Valentine.

The PASO Council of Directors will next meet virtually on 2 December 2020 for an ordinary Council meeting.

Pacific civil aviation senior management and officials recently undertook PASO’s latest online Master Class in Safety Oversight and the PASO Safety Oversight Model. Credit: paso.aero

Best practice aviation safety oversight system Pacific Master Class

September 29, 2020/in News /by Lisa Macalister

PORT VILA, Vanuatu: The Pacific Aviation Safety Office’s (PASO) latest capacity building program for Pacific civil aviation professionals is focusing on ensuring Pacific Member States have a rigorous understanding of best practice safety oversight systems developed for the Pacific.

Pacific civil aviation senior management and officials recently undertook PASO’s latest online participative training opportunity, “Master Class: Safety Oversight and the PASO Safety Oversight Model”, which examined the interface between Pacific State’s aviation safety oversight systems and PASO’s operating model.

Over thirty participants from eight PASO Member States’ civil aviation authorities from the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu joined in the five-hour training provided over two weeks in two sessions in mid-September.

PASO’s Regulatory Specialist, Mr. Steve Douglas delivered the two-session Master Class drawing on his 25 years’ experience working in New Zealand civil aviation senior management, including as a former Civil Aviation Authority New Zealand Director, and his specialist knowledge of best practice aviation regulatory system operations, policies, safety and risk management.

“PASO is committed to working with PASO Members States to achieve a better understanding of the fundamentals of State and PASO aviation obligations, so we can effectively work together,” said PASO’s General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.

“Our latest training series contributes to improving the knowledge and capacity of our Member States to deliver quality of aviation safety and security oversight via their respective national civil aviation authorities.”

“PASO Member States have an obligation to comply with international and regional standards required under the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) convention,” said Mr. Valentine.

As a Regional Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (RSOO) recognized by ICAO, PASO’s role is to provide continuous improvement of quality of aviation safety and security oversight services to PASO member’s and their respective national civil aviation authorities.

“We are here to encourage, support and, ultimately, empower our Member States to realise improved aviation safety oversight performance for the benefit of Pacific communities,” said Mr. Valentine.

“Our Master Class training series provides the technical operational information required by Pacific civil aviation officials to meet their obligations, which includes gaining a better understanding of PASO’s Safety Oversight Model, policies, procedures and best practice.

The specialist training examined PASO’s certification and audit procedures, and the best practice procedures to implement the oversight delegation mechanism in place between States and PASO.

Mr. Douglas has been working with PASO to review PASO’s Technical Manuals that are used to support the core services that PASO provides under its Audit and Inspection Programs (AIP). His consultancy is made possible by the PASO Reform Project, funded by the World Bank.

“This work has been under development for over twelve months and has been made possible through funding from the World Bank and is targeted at strengthening the PASO Quality Management System and technical services to Member States,” concluded Mr. Valentine.

PASO’s new model was operationally field tested in the Solomon Islands prior to the COVID19 pandemic causing the closure of Pacific nations borders. The PASO Safety Oversight Model is now is being fine-tuned so that Pacific civil aviation authorities can carry out Off-Site Certification Audits (OSCA) with off-site support from PASO.

EVENT: PASO Master Class Safety Oversight and the PASO Model

September 9, 2020/in News /by Wade Taylor

Enhance your understanding of State safety oversight systems and the PASO Model

PASO’s Master Class Series for PASO Member States continues this week with “Safety Oversight and the PASO Model”. This latest PASO participative training opportunity is being delivered virtually via Zoom in two parts over two weeks.

Part one starts this Thursday (10 September 2020) at 10am Port Vila time.

Learn about:

the operation of a State safety oversight system,
roles and responsibilities of the key players
PASO’s establishment, and
PASO’s role as a regional safety oversight organisation for Member States.

Part two is on Thursday (17 September 2020) at 10am Port Vila time.

Learn about:

how the States and PASO work together
the processes required for the proper functioning of delegated oversight tasks
introduction to policies and procedures required by States as part of their safety oversight systems including:
- PASO’s certification and audit procedures
- procedures to implement the delegation mechanism in place between States and PASO

The training is being delivered by PASO Regulatory Specialist, Steve Douglas via Zoom.

Steve’s specialty areas are aviation regulatory system operations, and policies, safety and risk. He was formerly Director of Civil Aviation in New Zealand and brings over 30 years’ experience working in civil aviation senior management in New Zealand, and as an aviation consultant, currently as PASO’s Regulatory Adviser.

This PASO Master Class Series is made possible by funding from the World Bank.

REGISTRATIONS

For more information please contact PASO Operations Manager, Netava Waqa, at om@paso.aero or PASO Operations Coordinator, Jessica Fred, at jfred@paso.aero

Preparing Pacific tourism and aviation for travel resumption

September 1, 2020/in News /by Wade Taylor

While the Pacific awaits the return of visitors, strategic partnerships between regional agencies are working to ensure that the tourism and aviation sectors are adequately prepared for the reopening of borders for tourism.

In recognition of the severe impacts that COVID-19 has had on global air services and tourism, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) are coordinating efforts to ensure that their respective sectors are ready and can confidently reboot as soon as air travel corridors are established and border restrictions relaxed between Pacific nations and other international destinations.

These efforts include identifying areas for prioritisation and investment to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the recovery process for Pacific economies, many of whom are highly dependent on tourism flows for employment and income. Moreover, with many regional airlines facing unprecedented financial challenges, the ongoing issue of regional connectivity is perhaps more important than ever before.

“In recognition of the multi-faceted nature of the tourism industry, SPTO remains committed to supporting recovery efforts through dialogue and innovative partnerships with key stakeholders like airlines, tourism industry leaders and development partners,” said SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Christopher Cocker.

“We recognise the critical importance of aviation as a key enabler for tourism recovery so we welcome this strategic partnership with PASO,” said Mr. Cocker.

“Ensuring the availability of viable, safe and secure air services is a critical part of enabling and reactivating tourism. Without this, the Pacific’s COVID-19 tourism recovery will likely stall,” said PASO General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.

“PASO’s fundamental role in the Pacific’s COVID-19 tourism response and recovery is to ensure Pacific States are supported to confidently kick-start their aviation sectors by checking and certifying that airlines, airports and key aviation infrastructure and services are safe, secure and compliant ahead of tourism reactivation.”

“The Pacific cannot afford poor aviation safety or security performance. An aviation accident or incident would severely derail Pacific States’ tourism recovery plans, negatively impact economies, and could have long lasting effects on the reputation of the wider region, and any country involved,” said Mr. Valentine.

As two of the smaller CROP agencies, the work of both SPTO and PASO is restricted by resource limitations. As such, the support of the relevant stakeholders and development partners is needed to strengthen their efforts to support recovery and reactivation for both industries.

In the interim, SPTO and PASO have committed to sharing information and providing regular joint updates to better inform their respective sectors as well as valued visitors to the region, to ensure that Pacific tourism recovers to deliver authentic and memorable experiences for visitors.

This strategic initiative between SPTO and PASO is supported by the key recommendations pertaining to the reopening of borders and reactivation of tourism, highlighted in the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) and SPTO Report 2020 Pacific Tourism Sector Scenario Development and Recovery Pathways.

Moreover, the partnership aligns with the key issues stemming from the 2020 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting and comes ahead of the SPTO Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting (COTMM) and the Regional Aviation Minister’s Meeting (RAMM), both of which have been deferred to 2021.

It is expected that these regional meetings will progress and strengthen aviation safety and security, along with COVID-19 recovery scenarios, to enable the reactivation and sustainability of tourism for the benefit of Pacific communities.

PASO’s COVID-19 airport operational safety training is helping Pacific nations to get ready for the safe restart of Pacific aviation, such as at Nauru International Airport in the Republic of Nauru. Credit: Robert Szymanski/Shutterstock.com

Pacific Aviation COVID19 Safety Restart Training

August 21, 2020/in News /by Wade Taylor

PORT VILA, Vanuatu: Technical teams from seven Pacific civil aviation authorities and airports recently undertook strategic online COVID19 airport operational safety training to get ready for the safe restart of aviation in the Pacific.

The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) delivered the online participative training session for 25 participants from PASO Member States’ civil aviation authorities and airport technical teams including the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu on Thursday 13 August.

Led by PASO’s Aviation Specialist, Mr. Mike Haines, the online training was aimed at educating States on international aviation guidance and preparing Pacific States for a safe, secure and sustainable restart of airports as part of PASO’s strategic COVID19 Aviation Recovery program.

The PASO COVID19 airport restart operational training was specially tailored for PASO’s Member States for their aviation environments and enabled with strategic funding from the World Bank.

PASO’s General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine said, “PASO is committed to ensuring aviation can safely restart in the Pacific.”

“In practical terms, this means civil aviation authorities and airport technical teams need to know the latest international ICAO standards, COVID19 safety operational measures, the tools and resources they can access, as well as their obligations to ensure the public can safely travel, cargo can be transported and aviation workplaces are safe for aviation personnel.”

“This includes adherence to international ICAO standards to ensure safe operations during the COVID19 pandemic and including how to reduce the spread of COVID-19, enable repatriation flights and aviation public health corridors, and how to safely prepare for the eventual return to increased volumes of commercial aviation in the Pacific,” said Mr. Valentine.

“We recognise it is critical that passengers, aviation workers and the general public have confidence in Pacific nations’ COVID19 aviation safety public health measures and feel safe to fly. Aviation is a critical driver for the Pacific’s economic recovery, and it is PASO’s role to support our members to enable this.”

“We are working with our Pacific members to maintain the validity of their certificates, licenses and other approvals during the COVID19 pandemic,” concluded Mr. Valentine.

The PASO online training webinar provided an overview of ICAO COVID19 related guidance and covered the technical subjects of COVID19 Contingency Related Differences (CCRD), ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) Guidance about air travel through the COVID19 public health crisis, and a practical checklist for restarting aerodrome operations.

PASO General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine with retiring PASO Chair, Mr. Wilson Sagati, OBE. Credit: paso.aero

PASO AGM recognises retiring Chairperson’s outstanding contribution to Pacific aviation safety

July 9, 2020/in News /by Wade Taylor

PORT VILA: The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) Council of Directors recognised the outstanding contribution of the retiring Chairperson, Mr. Wilson Sagati, OBE, at the Council of Directors Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 1 July 2020.

Mr. Wilson Sagati, OBE, leaves a distinguished legacy from his 15-years of unwavering service with PASO.

Achieving a safer flying environment for Pacific governments and communities in the Pacific has required Mr. Sagati’s committed leadership to transform PASO by strengthening governance practice, improving financial health, and building positive strategic working and regional relationships, including with international agencies and donors.

Mr. Sagati said, “It has been an absolute privilege to lead the PASO Council for 13 years and I am very proud of the progress we have made. At times we have had our challenges however I believe we have navigated these collectively and successfully.

“It has been exciting and satisfying to see PASO grow and strengthen into what it is today. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has disrupted that progress, but I am confident that this Council, with new governance leadership, can rise to the challenges in front of us.

“I step down knowing that PASO is now in a stronger position and I convey my utmost support to the incoming Chair for Samoa, Mr. Magele Hoe J. Viali, to take PASO forward for the mutual benefit of us all and the Pacific region,” said Mr. Sagati.

“Mr. Sagati has been a distinguished leader for the Pacific’s aviation sector. He has been absolutely committed to ensuring that PASO succeeds because he has always understood that PASO’s strategic role as an independent technical safety oversight agency is critical for the Pacific’s regional connectivity, economic prosperity, and ultimately to ensure public safety,” said PASO’s General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.

“He brought 40 years of aviation sector experience, including air traffic control operations, senior executive management as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea, Board governance on the Solomon Islands Civil Aviation Authority and ICAO leadership appointments, on top of his voluntary role as PASO’s Chairperson.”

The PASO Council elected Member State Samoa to Chair the PASO Council. Mr. Magele Hoe J. Viali, the Secretary of Transport, Chief Executive Officer and Director General of Civil Aviation within the Samoan Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure will undertake the Chairperson role having previously been PASO’s Deputy Chair and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee.

Vanuatu was appointed unopposed as the Deputy Chair of the Council and Chair of the Technical Sub-Committee and the Cook Islands was appointed unopposed as the Deputy Chair of the Council and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee.

PASO Council Member positions are voluntarily governance positions appointed by Member States governments and require Members to make regional aviation safety governance decisions rather than represent their State’s interests.

The PASO Council 2020 AGM convened virtually due to COVID-19. Credit: paso.aero

PASO AGM reaffirms strong commitment to Pacific regional aviation safety and security

July 6, 2020/in News /by Wade Taylor

PORT VILA: Pacific regional aviation safety and security and the importance of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) during the COVID-19 pandemic was recognised by the PASO Council of Directors at their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 1 July 2020.

There was strong participation at the Council’s first virtual AGM from Council Members, who reinforced their desire to support and promote the importance of PASO during the COVID-19 pandemic. The AGM was attended by nine of the 10 signatories to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) and three Associate Members.

COVID-19 disruption to Pacific aviation safety and security, and its impact on PASO’s governance and operations was the focus of the AGM. The PASO Council recognised the generous ongoing financial support from the New Zealand government to strengthen PASO with new $2.2million (NZD) funding provided in April.

The PASO Council also recommended re-scheduling the Regional Aviation Minister’s Meeting (RAMM) to early 2021 to continue to strategically progress and strengthen Pacific regional aviation and COVID-19 response and recovery.

“The pandemic has been devastating to the global economy, with no harder hit than the aviation sector. Disruption to aviation connectivity has been extreme and appears likely to remain that way for some time. Jobs across the world in the travel and tourism sector have been lost, and more are at risk. The future remains uncertain,” said outgoing PASO Chairperson, Mr. Wilson Sagati, OBE.

“We now face considerable COVID-19 disruptions to trade, tourism and regional connectivity and our region will need to be reactivated with safe aviation systems ready to respond when borders are opened once again.”

The PASO Council noted that PASO’s COVID response activities have entailed maintenance of business continuity, careful financial management, increased regional operational engagement, and active participation with key stakeholders, including the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and fellow CROP members.

PASO’s Council of Directors paid tribute to the outstanding 13-year contribution of retiring Chairperson, Mr. Wilson Sagati, and his dedicated service to Pacific regional aviation safety on behalf of PASO Member State Papua New Guinea.

The PASO Council elected Member State Samoa to Chair the PASO Council. Mr. Magele Hoe J. Viali, the Secretary of Transport, Chief Executive Officer and Director General of Civil Aviation within the Samoan Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure will undertake the Chairperson role having previously been PASO’s Deputy Chair and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee.

Vanuatu was appointed unopposed as the Deputy Chair of the Council and Chair of the Technical Sub-Committee, with Mr. Harrison Luen, Director General of Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works, to perform the role on behalf of Vanuatu.

The Cook Islands was appointed unopposed as the Deputy Chair of the Council and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee, with Mr. John Hosking to perform the role on behalf of the Cook Islands.

The Council’s AGM was led by Pacific government executive level transport officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu with apologies from Tuvalu.

PASO’s Council resolved to maintain momentum to progress strengthening strategic regional aviation and transport mechanisms to address regional COVID-19 response and recovery and recommended a face to face RAMM in early 2021, subject to relaxed travel restrictions.

The Council also resolved to hold a Special PASO Council Meeting later this year and invite all Pacific Island Forum States in the lead up to a re-scheduled RAMM.

“The RAMM is viewed as a key enabler of connectivity and a pathway to raising the profile of aviation safety and security in the region with Leaders, noting the importance that safe and secure air travel brings to all aspects of life in The Blue Pacific. The focus of the RAMM is likely to expand to matters around COVID-19 aviation response and recovery,” said new PASO Chairperson, Mr. Viali.

“The full impacts of COVID-19 on the aviation industry in the Pacific region are yet to be fully felt, and the recovery is likely to be slow and challenging, even once global and regional border restrictions are relaxed.

“There is a strong need for the region to solve these aviation challenges together and support each other through these hard times.

“Collectively, we need to address how to strengthen aviation safety oversight, sustainable air transport, and mechanisms to connect our region and provide us with a strong platform for economic and social recovery,” said Mr. Viali.

The PASO Council recognised the critical continued financial support from the New Zealand government to strengthen PASO and its Members with $2.2million (NZD) in April. Since 2017, the New Zealand Government have provided a total of $4.9m NZD to PASO.

“The evolving COVID-19 situation has deeply affected regional aviation and transport and continues to have a significant impact on PASO’s activities and operations. PASO is not immune to the economic impact of this pandemic,” said PASO’s General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.

“This funding is valuable and beneficial as it supports PASO’s work with our Members to enhance regulatory aviation safety and security as well as deliver targeted assistance to some of our Members. A key enabler of economic growth across the Pacific is generated from aviation and having strong regulation is a vital component for this to occur,” concluded Mr. Valentine.

PASO runway safety training is preparing Pacific airports, such as Cook Islands’ Rarotonga International Airport, for international safety reporting compliance. Credit: ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock.com

PASO runway safety training prepares Pacific airports for ICAO reporting deadline

June 29, 2020/in News /by Wade Taylor

PORT VILA, Vanuatu: Eight Pacific civil aviation authorities, including Pacific airports representatives, participated in an expert airport runway safety training webinar organized by the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) on Thursday 25 June.

The specialist training was designed to support and practically prepare PASO States civil aviation authorities and airports for mandatory International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) runway condition reporting requirements, ahead of a worldwide implementation deadline of 5 Nov 2020.

The PASO airport runway safety training was specific to wet weather conditions experienced by Pacific airport runways and looked at how to report runway surface conditions in real-time.

Around 35 participants from PASO States civil aviation authorities and their airport authority runway and aerodrome safety teams from the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu were introduced to the new international standardised methodology in the PASO online training webinar.

The training opportunity came about at the special request of three PASO Member States, the Cook Islands, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands, in recognition that “hands-on instruction” on the ICAO requirement was needed by their civil aviation staff in order for their runways to be compliant with the international standard on time.

Made possible through funding from the World Bank, the training was purposefully tailored for Pacific States and conducted with their aerodrome environment and challenges in mind by PASO aviation specialist, Mike Haines from Wellington.

“PASO has been actively supporting ICAO in sharing information and communicating to Pacific Member States to create awareness about the new ICAO runway reporting requirements,” said PASO Operations Manager, Mr. Netava Waqa.

“We are encouraging airports and civil aviation authorities to start their preparations now for timely implementation of the ICAO worldwide Annex 14 Global Reporting Format (GRF) standard.”

“The ICAO GRF implementation is a joint challenge. States need to ensure that airports are prepared and ready to comply by 5 November, and their operators also need to take all the necessary steps to be able to begin using the new GRF information in their flight planning by the deadline,” said Mr. Waqa.

PASO is currently working with Pacific Member States to chart their implementation progress for meeting the ICAO requirements and to identify assistance they may need from PASO to meet the ICAO reporting before the implementation deadline. The practical training also provided advice to States on actions to take if they cannot meet the ICAO implementation deadline.

ICAO introduced the GRF for runway condition reporting in 2015 to address aircraft incidents related to contaminated runways due to water, snow and ice.

“The ICAO requirement aims to ensure a consistent global process with a standard method of real-time reporting runway surface conditions so aircraft performance during take-off and landing can be determined accurately, allowing the aircrew to make the right decisions to ensure passenger and aircraft safety,” said Mr. Waqa.

Runway excursion, where an aircraft veers or overruns the runway, is one of the top three causes of accidents globally and the new GRF is a key enabler to prevent runway excursion. The GRF provides a standard method of reporting runway surface conditions across the globe for aerodromes, air traffic control, pilots and aircraft operators.

PASO Runway Condition Reporting Training - ICAO Global Reporting Framework. Credit: paso.aero

EVENT: PASO Zoom Training – Runway Condition Reporting: ICAO Global Reporting Framework

June 23, 2020/in News /by Lisa Macalister

This Thursday (25 June 2020) at 10am Port Vila time, PASO is conducting Zoom Training for all PASO States Civil Aviation Authority’s and Airport Authority runaway/aerodrome (safety) teams on the new ICAO requirement for Runway Condition Reporting as per the ICAO Global Reporting Framework.

The training is being delivered by PASO Aviation Specialist, Mike Haines via Zoom. This training is specially tailored for Pacific States and will be conducted with Pacific State aerodrome environment and challenges in mind.

The ICAO Global Reporting Format (GRF) for Runway Condition Reporting (RCR) needs to be implemented by 5 November 2020.

This PASO airport runway safety training is made possible by funding from the World Bank.

REGISTRATIONS

Please complete the Runway Condition Reporting Form to register your interest. Please return your form to om@paso.aero by 3pm Wednesday, 24 June 2020 to register. Note: your responses will be used by PASO to assess State’s needs and assistance required.

For more information please contact PASO Operations Manager, Netava Waqa, at om@paso.aero

CROP Agencies are working together on the COVID-19 Crisis

Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific Statement – Working together on the COVID-19 Crisis

May 8, 2020/in News /by Lisa Macalister

SUVA, Fiji: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health emergency of unprecedented scale, which is threatening the health, wellbeing and security of all Pacific people. This crisis recognizes no borders and requires leadership, coordination, and cooperation from across our Blue Pacific region.The Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) has pledged its full support to Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) in the response and recovery to this crisis. As Heads of CROP agencies, we are meeting regularly on COVID-19, with agency resources and staff being adjusted to ensure PICTs are provided with the information and support they require on COVID-19, while continuing to progress existing regional priorities. CROP agencies are also working closely with Pacific leaders and ministers to take concrete action for the health, safety and wellbeing of Pacific people together with international and regional partners.

How are CROP agencies supporting regional response efforts to COVID-19?
Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19 (PHP-C)
Forum Foreign Ministers have agreed to establish a Pacific Humanitarian Pathway on COVID-19 (PHP-C) to expedite assistance and cooperation between Pacific countries in preparing for, and responding, to COVID-19. The PHP-C is providing regional leadership, direction and coordination to enable the provision of medical and humanitarian assistance from regional and international organisations in a timely, safe, effective and equitable manner. Further detail on the PHP-C can be found here.

The first delivery through the PHP-C arrived in Nadi on 21 April. This donation of personal protective equipment is being distributed in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Media release here.

COVID-19 Joint Incident Management Team (IMT)
Coordinated by WHO in the Pacific with CROP representation from SPC and PIFS, the Joint IMT has developed and are implementing a six-month Pacific Action Plan Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness and Response. The Joint IMT is currently helping to address critical supply needs for countries including the procurement of laboratory packaging and personal protective equipment (PPE) and providing technical advice on a range of public health measures.

Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN)
As CROP focal point for this network, SPC is currently deploying staff to do in-country training on COVID-19 case identification, contact tracing, case investigation, outbreak management, in-country assessment, training on infection control and coordinating the procurement process for point-of-care tests (BD Veritor System). The PPHSN includes six services to prevent and respond to epidemics -coordination of laboratory services, surveillance systems, infection control, alert and communication, knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Socio-economic recovery efforts
While the immediate focus of CROP agencies is supporting regional response efforts on COVID-19, CROP agencies are also working to assess the wider economic and social impacts of this crisis, and provide advice to Pacific Leaders and Ministers on options to strengthen recovery efforts over the medium to longer term.

The tourism sector has been severely impacted. SPTO continues to share information on the impacts and responses from tourism sectors throughout the region. This is informing Pacific regional cooperation on tourism’s recovery from COVID-19.CROP agencies are also considering the impacts and recovery efforts for trade, investment and remittance flows; food security, fisheries and agriculture; and environmental and waste management.

There is no doubt that in the short term, COVID-19 is impacting the work of CROP agencies. Many meetings and events have been postponed or repurposed and some projects are being adjusted or slowed as we unite behind this common challenge. Face-to-face classes at all USP campuses in the region were initially deferred, and are now being conducted virtually. CROP agencies are continuing critical work on ongoing regional priorities including climate change action and building Pacific resilience. The efforts we are taking now will help get us through this crisis together.

The members of CROP will continue working to ensure that the Pacific can face this challenge in the same way that we have faced others in the past- with confidence, resilience and unity, in the true spirit of our common Blue Pacific.

For more information please contact:
Caroline Bergman Hart
Engagement Adviser (Strategic Communications)
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
carolineh@forumsec.org
Mobile: (+61) 414 072 566

Peter W. Foster
Director of Communications
Pacific Community
peterf@spc.int
Tel: (+679) 337 9451. Ext: 35451
Mobile: (+679) 720 8220

Regional solutions for Pacific aviation security resilience

Best practice aviation safety oversight system Pacific Master Class

EVENT: PASO Master Class Safety Oversight and the PASO Model

Preparing Pacific tourism and aviation for travel resumption

PASO AGM recognises retiring Chairperson’s outstanding contribution to Pacific aviation safety

PASO AGM reaffirms strong commitment to Pacific regional aviation safety and security

EVENT: PASO Zoom Training – Runway Condition Reporting: ICAO Global Reporting Framework

Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific Statement – Working together on the COVID-19 Crisis

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