Aviation safety. Regulatory framework, technology, contingency plan

Resumen o Introducción

Air transport has grown tremendously over the last centuary. The launch of the Jumbo jet was the game changer in commercial air transport. The industry has expanded greatly since then and today it is a multi-billion industry employing thousands of people and providing transport services to millions yearly. Despite the growth, Air transport has been faced with increasing security and safety concerns. This is evident in the large number of air crashes recorded every year as well as the bombing of commercial airliners.Inorder to ensure safe air travel, numerous organizations and institutions have come on board to develop rules, regulations and standards on safety. Regulatory framework and safety requirements have been built up over the years and are continuously been enhanced to address emerging issues as pertains air security and safety. These organizations include International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA), National Transport and Safety Board (NTSB).Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Safety is key in Avaition.The industry is built on safety. There are there layers in safety regulation in Aviation. They are International, Regional and National regulatory arrangements. International regulatory requirements are addressed by ICAO.The ICAO is an agency of the United Nations and was established in 1944 through a convention on International Civil Aviation (Lavenex 2008, 938). The organization develops standards that cover all aspects of aviation including safety. Through its Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS), it provides the foundation of all safety regulations at a global scale. It oversees the development of safety regulatory framework by Member states through Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). In recent years, ICAO requirements have been extended to require the implementation of a formal safety management by aviation service provider organizations as well as aircraft operators (Mclay 2008). Regional regulatory arrangements is a layer that cedes National Regulatory functions to supra-national agencies.