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The PASO Master Class Series provides virtual technical training opportunities for Member States

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.

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.

Aviation safety sector working together: Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu’s Airworthiness Officer, Manfred Veremaito with Pacific Aviation Safety Office’s Operations Advisor, Joseph Niel Noupat and Air Taxi Vanuatu’s Chief Engineer, Nick Barber at Port Vila Airport, Vanuatu. Credit: PASO.

Aviation safety sector works together to respond to Tropical Cyclone Harold

May 1, 2020/in News /by Lisa Macalister

PORT VILA, Vanuatu: The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) are working together with Vanuatu’s civil aviation operators to ensure Vanuatu’s commercial chartered aircraft are meeting international airworthiness safety standards as they respond to Tropical Cyclone Harold.

“PASO is currently providing technical expertise to CAAV to assist with airworthiness certificates renewals for commercial chartered operators’ aircraft that have had major maintenance carried out,” said PASO Operations Manager, Mr. Netava Waqa.

“These commercial aircraft are vital to Vanuatu’s current emergency Tropical Cyclone Harold relief response and PASO’s technical aviation safety oversight will enable the CAAV to properly assess and certify that these aircrafts can safely return to the air to help Vanuatu’s communities.”

“PASO and CAAV are cooperating to carry out meticulous inspections of aircraft operators’ maintenance records to ensure aircraft have been maintained fully in accordance with the required standards and are therefore, safe to operate to carry passengers,” said Mr. Waqa.

Vanuatu’s commercial chartered operators are a critical component of the Pacific nation’s current emergency response to the devastating impacts of Easter Sunday’s Tropical Cyclone Harold in the northern provinces of the nation.

With Vanuatu in a self-imposed COVID-19 locked down, foreign aid is restricted to the transport of emergency supplies to the capital Port Vila. The Pacific nation is relying on locally based, commercial chartered operators to reach Vanuatu’s network of small remote airports to transport emergency supplies onto impacted remote communities across the wide geographical area affected by the natural disaster.

Commercial chartered aircraft are in demand to carry out impact assessments, transport critical relief equipment and emergency supplies, and medivac retrievals of critically injured patients on behalf of the Vanuatu government, aid donors, and private citizens. Vanuatu has five commercial chartered operators which have around 20 domestic aircraft servicing the country.

“We are really pleased to support the strong work of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu to get these planes back into the skies to help Vanuatu. We are also very pleased to be able to support Vanuatu’s local operators who provide an essential service,” said PASO’s General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.

“One such operator has an aircraft that was previously a victim of Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015. It was so badly damaged it was rendered unserviceable. Now this aircraft has been repaired in accordance with approved aviation standards by the operator, and CAAV and PASO are in the process of confirming its airworthiness status so the aircraft can take to the skies again.”

Mr. Valentine said, “We are appreciative of the New Zealand Government’s financial support to enable PASO to provide a highly specialised aviation technical advisor to strengthen CAAV’s efforts”.

Despite the Advisor being currently based in New Zealand due to the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, PASO has been using innovative ICT technology to continue to provide much needed regulatory services to Vanuatu. PASO is now looking to provide these services remotely to other PASO Pacific Member States.

“The Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) appreciates and acknowledges PASO management for recognising the urgent need for continued regulatory compliance during these unprecedented times brought about by COVID-19 and Tropical Cyclone Harold,” said the Director of CAAV, Ms. Jackie Langati Trief.

“We also acknowledge the New Zealand Government’s assistance to enable technical support to facilitate regulatory compliance to the aviation industry in Vanuatu.”

While the CAAV are the lead agency for air safety and security compliance in Vanuatu, it is the role of PASO to support and strengthen CAAV’s and other Pacific Member States civil aviation requirements.

PASO, which is hosted by the Republic of Vanuatu in Port Vila, was created by the 10 Member States of the PICASST treaty to provide specialized regulatory aviation safety oversight services and capacity building to their respective National Civil Aviation Authorities.

Mr. Valentine said, “Achieving compliance with required International Civil Aviation Office (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for aerodromes, air navigation services, airworthiness, aviation security, flight operations and personnel licencing is an absolute necessity for Pacific governments to ensure their civil aviation industry can operate safely.”

“PASO plays a critical role in delivering aviation safety and security for the Pacific,” concluded Mr. Valentine.

IMAGE CAPTION: Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu’s Airworthiness Officer, Manfred Veremaito with Pacific Aviation Safety Office’s Operations Advisor, Joseph Niel Noupat and Air Taxi Vanuatu’s Chief Engineer, Nick Barber at Port Vila Airport, Vanuatu. Credit: paso.aero

News

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

Aviation safety sector works together to respond to Tropical Cyclone Harold

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