A record gathering of delegates at the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal, Canada, have voted to consider setting up an auditing system to ensure high standards of aviation security worldwide.
The assembly also presented a solution for the European Union's controversial environmental plans restricting operation of the noisiest Chapter 3 aircraft. The USA argues that the move restricts trade.
The proposed Universal Security Oversight Audit system would be modelled on the successful Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme adopted in January 1999. It would consist of an ICAO-led team of security experts mandated to inspect the safety provisions of all 187 member states.
The assembly, which ended on 5 October, also tasked ICAO with studying whether the standards and recommended practices (SARPS) already accepted for international travel security should be applied to domestic flights. It will also look at cutting the process for approval and adoption of all SARPS related to safety and security.
On the issue of restricting the noisiest aircraft in the Chapter 3 band in Europe - many of them hushkitted Chapter 2 aircraft - ICAO says that states which wish to do so may introduce such measures at "airports with severe noise problems". This falls short of the EU rule banning the introduction on to the European register of such aircraft altogether, rather than making rules specific to airports.
A legal challenge to the move by Brussels is also being mounted in the European Court of Justice by Boeing 707 leasing specialist Omega Air.
Source: Flight International
