Group of Experts on Aviation Safety, Security and Assistance (GEASA)

MANDATE

The Group of Experts on Aviation Safety, Security and Assistance is convened in compliance with the WHTI Ministerial statement resulting from the March 2001 meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay directing the Executive Committee to propose:

" ….within as short a time frame as possible, an action plan that will allow for the improvement of aviation safety conditions in the region, including the identification of programs and sources of funding.".

The WHTI Executive Committee in the decision record of its meeting of 24 September 2001 records the adoption of the GEASA approach by the WHTI Executive Committee as a means to implement the Minister's direction for enhancing safety in the Region and, adds to the original mandate proposal that the Group also address security.

During the 33rd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization held during September-October 2001, the GEASA concept was formalized within the ICAO framework in its Resolution A33-16 Global Aviation Safety Plan. In resolving clause 14 of the Resolution, the Assembly:

"Encourages States to foster the creation of international advisory groups of experts, or other initiatives where appropriate, on aviation safety and assistance to:

1. bring together the efforts, experience and the resources of interested countries, international and regional organizations, aviation manufacturers and operators, financial and other funding institutions and of ICAO;
    
2. study the aviation safety issues of a subgroup of member States; and
    
3. develop a civil aviation safety management frame-work and recommendations for improving safety and providing assistance"

TASKING

1. To define issues the resolution of which would enhance the safety and security of national and international civil aviation systems as well as operations between and amongst WHTI countries.
    
2. Where applicable, to categorize such issues as they relate primarily to Aerodromes, Air Navigation Systems, Aircraft Operations and the Manufacturing of Aeronautical Products and document them according to the template include in Appendix A.
    
3. In respect of each issue, to:
    
   • identify or establish a clear definition of the safety and security deficiency, its nature and scope, including whether it is of general or of limited application;
      
   • determine whether the deficiency is of high, moderate, or low impact on aviation safety and security;
      
   • advise Ministers on options recommended to eliminate or minimize the safety and security deficiencies and enhance safety and security, including:
      
     • costs and benefits of options;
        
     • whether remedial action can be instituted in the immediate, short, mid or longer term; and
        
   • whether the WHTI country(ies) concerned would be able to finance and staff the recommended option itself (themselves) or would require technical assistance and the scale of such assistance.
      
4. In developing its recommendations, the Group of Experts shall consider:
    
   • work already in progress or contemplated by other governmental or non-governmental organizations in order to prevent duplication of effort and to promote those activities as deemed appropriate;
      
   • the feasibility of joint institutions or joint initiatives between or amongst States which could provide synergy and promote harmonization of safety and security activities in the Region; and
      
   • principles for project assistance, including criteria for projects qualifying for assistance and whether assistance should be from bilateral or multilateral sources.

IDENTIFICATION OF DEFICIENCIES

5. The categorization of problems to be identified for WHTI Ministers meeting will be:
    
   1. Institutional;
   2. Legal Instruments and Regulatory Oversight;
   3. Operational;
   4. Facilities and Equipment;
   5. Training;
   6. Funding.

METHODOLOGY

6. The Group of Experts shall be guided by the fundamental principle that its work emphasizes partnership between and amongst States and international organizations.
    
7. Communications will be principally by telephone conference, facsimile, internet and correspondence with meetings of 2 days' duration as required.
    
8. Consultation with or participation by international inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations will be encouraged including among others:
    
   • non-WHTI countries,
   • the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),
   • the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and
   • the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA)
   • the Airports Council International (ACI)
   • the International Federation of Air Traffic Controller' Associations (IFATCA) and
   • institutions such as the IDB involved in the funding of aviation safety and security projects

MEMBERSHIP

9. Membership of the Group of Experts on Aviation Safety, Security and Assistance is open to senior aviation safety and security experts and officials from WHTI countries and other interested organizations.

April 10, 2002