Regular compulsory audits by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) of individual states' aviation safety oversight programmes were approved on 2 October at the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada. The ruling becomes effective on 1 January, 1999. Members agreed the audits should not be used for purposes other than safety, to avoid exploitation for commercial gain.
The assembly also agreed that future navigation systems are endangered more by a lack of funding and the encroachment on aviation radio navigation frequency bands by commercial interests than any other issues.
Resolutions on its communications, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management programme ratified the provisions of the May Rio de Janeiro implementation conference, but highlighted the need for global systems interoperability and support of poorer nations in the process.
Source: Flight International
