The 1990s milestones in the new industry safety standards system include:
• 1992: the US Federal Aviation Administration set up its International Aviation Safety Assessment programme, checking states with which the USA has bilateral aviation treaties for their civil aviation authority safety oversight programmes. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) oversight standards and recommended practices are the benchmark;
• 1998: the 35 European Civil Aviation Conference countries implemented the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft programme, whereby a common database of aircraft and carriers that flouted safety practices or airworthiness regulations was launched, enabling Europe to keep tags on errant operators, aircraft and states;
• 1998: ICAO won the mandate to implement its proposed compulsory safety audits of member states' CAAs and their entire aviation infrastructure. The system works by presenting the state with the audit report, then making a return visit to ensure that the recommendations are being carried out. If they are not, the report can be made public;
• 1999: the FAA prescribes safety criteria for airlines that codeshare with US carriers. The onus is on the US carrier to prove to the FAA that its foreign partner complies;
• 1999: the International Air Transport Association drafts Operational Quality Standards for International Air Transport Association membership. Application of the standards will start with applicants for membership, but ultimately it will be applied to all members.
Meanwhile, worldwide media coverage of aviation accidents has become increasingly intense. As a result, the travelling public is becoming more aware of aviation safety at a time when market liberalisation is providing a progressively greater choice of airlines to use on most routes.
Source: Flight International
