International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Afghanistan
Topics
Afghanistan airports, and in particular Kabul International Airport (KAIA), suffered for over 20 years from military action in wars and civil strife which led much of its infrastructure, buildings, installations and equipment to deterioration and even devastation.
The International Community, and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) together with International Aviation agencies in particular, have been taking charge of the Afghan airspace and airport infrastructure and assisting the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation in overseeing the implementation of necessary rehabilitation and upgrading works to attain international standards, prior to handing it over to the Afghan authorities.
A holistic approach
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as established by the Convention on International Civil Aviation signed at Chicago on 7 December 1944, aims to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster the planning and development of international air transport.
In 2004, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan established a Steering Committee/ Clearing House mechanism to monitor, coordinate and to provide oversight for the implementation of all activities related to the rehabilitation of the aviation sector in Afghanistan and, in particular, to establish the conditions for the handover of KAIA from ISAF to the Afghan Authorities, in accordance with ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs).
ICAO’s role and its assistance in the training for Afghan personnel become therefore vital. At the same time the implementation of transition plans in unison with the continuation of the operational aspects will be crucial.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation is in need of technically and operationally qualified personnel in every section of the Ministry.
ICAO Project (Emergency Transport Rehabilitation Project AFG/02/803)
ICAO Project commenced late 2003, and is ongoing.
Present ICAO Experts consist of one Operational Expert, one Airworthiness Expert, one ATM/Airport Management expert, and one Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) Expert.
Operational expert is reviewing the Civil Aviation rules and regulations, licensing issues of flight aircrews, and assisting the safety oversize of the countries airlines.
Airworthiness expert is also reviewing the Civil Aviation rules and regulations, and license issues of personnel and the Afghani aircraft maintenance, and assisting in aviation safety oversight.
Air Traffic Management/Airport Management (ATM) expert is assisting and reviewing Air Traffic Control and airspace safety and security, and assisting with airport design and management.
Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) expert is involved in training on navigational aids equipment, assisting with maintenance and fault diagnosis of various CNS equipments as well as compiling equipment courses for airport personnel
Since 2003 the project has been heavily involved in improving civil aviation safety. Accessibility has greatly improved by the completion of the Kabul International Airport runway rehabilitation, provision of associated facilities and equipment, i.e. Instrument Landing System (ILS), DVOR/DME for navigation of civilian and military aircraft. New Fire tenders and airport maintenance equipment have been purchased. Reliable back up generators, new fencing around the airport and extensive de-mining of civilian areas have been completed.
Some of the present activities are:
- Flight Calibration of Approach and Navigational Aids
- Air Traffic Management Feasibility study
- Re-design of Kabul International Airport instrument approach charts and GPSS approach procedures for Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, Jalalabad and Kandahar
- Rehabilitation of regional airports
- Installation of DVOR/DME at Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif
- Installation of Communications equipment at secondary airports
- Installation of power generators for the ILS/DVOR/DME
- Train MoTCA personnel for Licensing, Flight Operations safety oversight
- Train personnel from Afghanistan airline operators of the Standards of ICAO
- Certify new operators starting in Afghanistan
- Performance inspections of Afghani aircraft