On March 7 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed Azerbaijan’s State Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) that Azerbaijan has achieved compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety oversight standards. The resulting International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating is based on the results of an October 2013 FAA review.
Under the IASA program, the FAA assesses whether another country’s oversight of its air carriers that operate, or seek to operate, into the U.S., or codeshare with a U.S. air carrier, complies with ICAO international aviation safety standards.
The FAA maintains two ratings for the status of a country’s safety oversight compliance. A Category 1 rating means the FAA determined that the country has demonstrated that it meets the ICAO standards for each of the critical elements of civil aviation safety oversight. A Category 2 rating is assigned when the FAA determines the country does not comply with ICAO standards.
Azerbaijan was awarded a Category 1 safety rating after its inaugural IASA assessment in October 2013 and follow-up discussions with the FAA in December 2013 and January 2014. Category 1 status means air carriers in Azerbaijan can apply for new service to the U.S. and code-share with U.S. carriers. The Wicks Group (TWG) is proud to be currently working with Azerbaijan Airlines, the national passenger carrier, as well as the leading cargo carriers, Silk Way and Silk Way West Airlines, in the initiation of their operations to the U.S.
TWG worked with the SCAA to bring its oversight system into compliance with ICAO standards for each of the critical elements of aviation safety. TWG and the SCAA drafted and implemented a new legal-regulatory framework and guidance material, established a program for the ongoing safety monitoring and oversight activities required by the new regulations (continuous surveillance), executed a new air safety inspector training program, implemented new personnel licensing requirements, and recertified that the major air carriers and approved maintenance organizations are in compliance with the established regulatory system.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) played a major role in supporting Azerbaijan’s improvements in aviation safety oversight by providing funding for technical assistance to the SCAA. This demonstrated the U.S. Government’s commitment to help Azerbaijan achieve the internationally recognized safety standard. TWG was selected by the SCAA to be the beneficiary of this USTDA funding.
In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, countries with air carriers that fly to the U.S. must maintain adherence to ICAO standards. TWG consultants have assisted numerous civil aviation authorities (CAAs) with achieving a Category 1 rating and maintaining an existing Category 1 rating following an FAA IASA audit. TWG also provides ongoing Category 1 sustainment services to help CAAs ensure they maintain ICAO-compliant policies, procedures, and practices over time. In addition to these services, TWG regularly assists foreign air carriers with obtaining necessary certifications to operate to the United States.
The FAA press release can be viewed here and the USTDA press release can be viewed here. For more information about TWG’s IASA-related services, please contact Glenn Wicks at (240) 643-0504 (mobile) or gpwicks@wicks-group.com.