*ICAO honours Qatar Civil Aviation Authority for achievements

Qatar has topped a comprehensive audit on all aspects of civil aviation safety, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) announced.

Qatar achieved a 91.16% compliance rate according to the new standards implemented by the ICAO in 2018.

The ICAO honoured Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) for this achievement. QCAA chairman Abdullah bin Nasser Turki al-Subaey received a certificate of appreciation from the ICAO president Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.

The honouring took place at the 40th session of the ICAO General Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

Qatar is among 48 states that have made great progress in overcoming deficiencies in safety control and improving the effective implementation of international rules and recommendations related to the field.

The ICAO appreciated the qualitative achievement of QCAA at the level of the results of the comprehensive audit of the safety of civil aviation, according to ICAO's global programme to verify the conformity of the Qatari air safety standards with the international standards and specifications contained in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Qatar received another certificate of appreciation in recognition of the results achieved in 2017 in the application of the standards of civil aviation security, by obtaining 99.10% in the application of the standards of Annex XVII on the security of civil aviation, which is the most important criterion in the field of security audit.

Qatar achieved 96.76% with regard to the implementation of vital elements related to civil aviation security, and 100% in the application of security standards contained in Annex IX to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

The QCAA has achieved a record in the results of the comprehensive audit of the safety of civil aviation, according to the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), which verified the compliance of States' safety standards with the international standards and specifications contained in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and its supplements.

Qatar occupies an advanced position in the field of security and safety of civil aviation in the world, due to its attention to civil aviation in general and safety and security in particular, by applying the highest international standards and international requirements in this area.

Since 2015, QCAA has been focusing on updating all existing regulations to enhance aviation safety and security standards in civil aviation, in particular, safety as an essential pillar of aviation. In order to achieve this, QCAA has taken important steps such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Aviation Safety Agency, which immediately implements all necessary changes related to air transport, air safety and navigation systems, and meteorological measurements.

Qatar is also the first country in the Middle East to implement comprehensive European aviation safety regulations.

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ICAO honours Qatar's significant progress in aviation safety

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) announced that Qatar has made significant progress in the field of civil aviation safety. Qatar is among 48 states who have made progress in overcoming deficiencies in safety and improving the effective implementation of international rules and recommendations related in the field.

ICAO honoured the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) for this achievement, with QCAA chairman Abdullah bin Nasser Turki al-Subaey having received a certificate of appreciation from ICAO president Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.

ICAO appreciated the qualitative achievement of QCAA at the level of the results of the comprehensive audit of the safety of civil aviation, according to ICAO's global programme to verify the conformity of the Qatari air safety standards with the international standards and specifications contained in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Qatar has achieved a 91.16% compliance rate according to the new standards set by the ICAO, which was implemented in 2018, making Qatar the first to receive that percentage through the results of a comprehensive audit on all aspects of the safety of civil aviation system.

Qatar also received another certificate of appreciation in recognition of the results achieved in 2017 in the application of the standards of civil aviation security, by obtaining a 99.10% in the application of the standards of Annex XVII on the security of civil aviation, which is the most important criterion in the field of security audit. The country also achieved 96.76% with regard to the implementation of vital elements related to civil aviation security, and 100% in the application of security standards contained in Annex IX to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

The honour comes within the framework of Qatar's participation in the meetings of the 40th session of the General Assembly of ICAO in Montreal, Canada.

QCAA has achieved a record in the results of the comprehensive audit of the safety of civil aviation according to the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), which verified the compliance of states' safety standards with the international standards and specifications contained in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and its supplements.

Qatar has not overlooked the important and vital role of cyber and technological security in achieving aviation security and safety, QCAA has released version 1 of the "Aviation Cyber Security Guidelines" in collaboration with the Cybersecurity Affairs Sector of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The guidelines include standards and principles relating to securing critical aviation systems, in addition to best practices in electronic security in the field.

This has made Qatar the first country in the Middle East to have released such guidelines that focus on the deployment of the standards that aim to face and mitigate electronic threats and attacks in the civil aviation industry.

The guidelines are hoped to contribute to raising the awareness of all stakeholders and those who work in the industry in Qatar by guiding them to cybersecurity best practices.

The issuance of these guidelines complies with the recommendations of the ICAO that urge all member states to apply such standards and measures and continue cooperation and mutual support at the local and universal levels.

Qatar is also the first country in the region to start implementing the latest the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Comprehensive Safety Programme regulations. The new systems for aircraft crew licences, aviation operations and airworthiness requirements have been complied with EASA regulations as one of the objectives of the regulatory and program structure of the Authority.

QCAA also coordinates with the military authorities to provide search and rescue services and prepare for the planned inspection by the ICAO.

During the period of the blockade imposed on Qatar since June 5, 2017, the country was able to overcome its difficulties and its effects by finding alternatives to ensure the continuation of operations of the national airline 'Qatar Airways' non-stop, and the continuation of operations to and from Hamad International Airport.

The technical file of Qatar was also able to garner international support from the members of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which, at its extraordinary meeting held on July 31, 2017, called on all OIC member states to comply with the provisions of the Chicago Convention of 1944 and its Annexes.

Qatar's technical file was based on international civil aviation law and the principles of the Chicago Convention to ensure the safety, efficiency and sustainability of international air transport and freedom of air navigation, prompting the blockade states to reverse their position by closing air corridors over international waters, ahead of the extraordinary session of the ICAO Executive Council, in order to avoid condemnation by the international community for violating international civil aviation laws and infringing on the right of air traffic.

Thanks to the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, as well as the efforts of all sectors related to the aviation industry in the country, Qatar has become one of the first countries to achieve the highest international standards in safety and security of civil aviation.

Since 2015, QCAA has been focusing on updating all existing regulations to enhance aviation safety and security standards in civil aviation, in particular, safety as an essential pillar of aviation. In order to achieve this, QCAA has taken important steps such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which immediately implements all necessary changes related to air transport, air safety and navigation systems, and meteorological measurements.

Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to implement comprehensive European aviation safety regulations.

QCAA, in cooperation with all parties concerned with the aviation sector in the State, has started to modernize the technical regulations of aviation safety, in accordance with international standards and with the provisions of international treaties ratified by the State. These regulations are drafted to become applicable for the long term until 2030.

In order to complete the civil aviation security system, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has developed new regulations for the airlines on how to operate the aircraft, in addition to the regulations concerning pilots training , and the procedures to be followed for the issuance of aviation licenses from the Authority. A number of modifications have been made to the airworthiness systems to ensure a more efficient aircraft maintenance system and security.

The new regulations were issued in draft form for the first time in August 2016, and were discussed, reviewed and analyzed and taken into account during the finalization of the new regulations.

In order to achieve efficient management of air traffic and aviation between the State of Qatar and European countries in particular and the world in general, the State of Qatar, represented by QCAA, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research), in order to enhance cooperation in the area of modernization of air traffic management initiatives in Qatar and Europe in order to contribute to the development and harmonization of global aviation standards.

The move is based on the strong growth in the aviation sector in Qatar, which is reflected in the air traffic services and the efficient use of airspace in the country. Joint cooperation with SESAR will have a positive impact in creating a balance and interoperability between air traffic systems for the benefit of airlines and travelers alike.

The technical aspect of the Qatari file culminated in ICAO's decision to open seven air corridors over international waters in the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman to aircraft registered in Qatar, which contributed to reducing distances, flight time, ensuring the flow of air traffic and achieving its security and safety.

In a similar step, the State of Qatar has worked on the preparation of a comprehensive technical file supported by arguments and legal data necessary to the ICAO to demand the opening of air corridors over the blockade countries and the implementation of the transit agreement, which is guaranteed by Chicago Convention.

The State of Qatar also attaches great importance to the safety and security of airports by keeping pace with the scientific and technological development in order to provide distinguished and efficient services.

The State of Qatar has also a security system, state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technologies used by the Hamad International Airport Security Department to inspect and control the safety and security of passengers and civil aviation traffic.

Hamad International Airport is equipped by a state-of-the-art equipment to manage the entry and departure of passengers, as well as advanced technology applied to electronic gateways in the arrivals and departures.

The Ministry of Interior moreover launched a smart security robot to detect suspects and detect weapons, explosives, counterfeit currency, counterfeit credit cards, etc., to achieve maximum security, which is reflected positively on the aviation sector.

The State of Qatar recently opened a permanent office in the ICAO in Montreal, Canada, in addition to winning membership in the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Authority.

QCAA continues to implement its strategy of expanding the air transport rights of the national carrier Qatar Airways, as a plan has been developed to expand the policy of signing open skies agreements, and to make every effort to secure third party code share in as many bilateral agreements as possible.

In this regard, the State of Qatar has succeeded in concluding and amending some air transport agreements on the basis of liberalizing the airspace between the Qatari side and other countries, with the total number of air transport agreements reached 167 agreements.

These efforts and policies have resulted in Qatar's initialing of the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement with the European Union.

The agreement, which is the first of its kind between a Gulf state and the European Union, will open the atmosphere between Qatar and the EU member states, thus conducting an unspecified number of transport flights between the two parties, in addition to daily cargo flights from Qatar to all EU countries and vice versa. (QNA)



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