CASAC seeks institutional changes in aviation sector

The newly-formed Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC) today called for institutional changes in the aviation sector to ensure a safe operational environment.

The council had in a meeting, held on May 30, reviewed the initiatives taken by the government in improving the regulatory and procedural requirements.

Also, it had discussed further steps, especially in helicopter and general aviation area that has become a matter for concern for the government, regulator and service provider.

The focus of the discussion was on strict regulatory compliance, enhancement of quality of surveillance, strengthening of regulatory regime and establishment of independent accident investigation process, CASAC said in a statement.

"The safety of helicopter operations, including those involving high dignitaries, with move to put in national coordination mechanism for search and rescue operations were taken up during the course of the discussion. Institutional changes required in the sector backed by open and consultative environment was the emphasis of the meeting," it said.

Formed on May 28, 2010, CASAC has the mandate to strengthen aviation safety environment through synergisation of available expertise in areas of airlines, airworthiness, operations, air navigation, aerodromes, aircraft engineering, human performance.

Special invitees to the council include FAA, ICAO Experts, IATA, Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier.