Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 David Gamper, Director, Technical/Safety Airports Council International Perspective of Airport Operators General principles Airport policies Safety Management Systems

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 ACI supports certification – ACI supports the general principles put forward by ICAO, although it believes that basic requirements (Standards) should be distinguished from recommendations (Recommended Practices).

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Relevant POLICIES in ACI Policy Handbook include: Certification of aerodromes (5.1) Airport Safety Management Systems and safety auditing (5.24) – an overall policy and many others, including Apron Safety, Airside Vehicle Operations, Runway Incursions, Runway Inspections, Runway Friction, FOD prevention measures, Wildlife Management.

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Certification should: Create a “level playing field” National safety regulatory bodies should be clearly separated from airport management bodies to ensure independence. Clear and regular lines of communication should be established between regulators and airport operators. Treat existing airports reasonably Safety regulators should recognize the difference between existing and new airports and engage in dialogue with airport operators before imposing new certification requirements. Airports which have been certificated under pre-existing arrangements should not be arbitrarily refused certificates under any new arrangements.

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Be consistent – apply same high safety standards in all domains and all airports Safety measures related to design and operations should be implemented where they give the highest benefit, and with international consistency. Put emphasis on accident prevention and continuous improvement Airports are encouraged to undertake relevant research and analysis to determine which safety initiatives should be given priority.

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Not impose unreasonable fees or requirements for certification There should be no excessive fees or unnecessary administrative requirements for certification. Fees should be related to cost. Certificates should not have a limited life Airports should not be placed in the situation that an administrative problem may prevent renewal of an operator’s certificate, and so result in temporary closure

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Annex 14 Recommended Practices should not be equated to Standards Recommended Practices (RPs) should not be made mandatory via the certification process - they exist principally to provide guidance for design of new airports. There is a process for aeronautical studies to establish alternative provisions and operational procedures which could provide an equal level of safety

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Safety Management Systems: Airport Safety Management Systems and safety auditing (5.24) – an overall policy Airport operators should establish a safety management and audit system covering all systems which are safety-critical at the airport, including those operated by other companies. Airport operators should move away from the simple monitoring of compliance with rules and regulations to the development of a safety management system.

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Safety Management Systems: objectives (requires statement of company policy at top management level – commitment to safety): Minimization of risks Avoidance of “safety events” (i.e. accidents and incidents) Minimization of the monetary, operational and human effects of “safety events” Compliance with safety requirements from regulations, provisions and laws

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Safety Management Systems: Airport Safety Management Systems and safety auditing (5.24) – an overall policy Such systems have been implemented in many industries, and consist of a cyclical process, including: setting a written safety policy (this should identify hazards and risks); organizing and training staff, establishing a safety culture and communication systems; planning and setting standards, including the effective control of risks; and performance management, including active monitoring of compliance and reactive monitoring of incidents.

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Safety Management Systems: Self-discipline should be the basic principle underlying all safety of work routines at airports. All personnel should be aware of and adhere to the standards for their work and be responsible for and control their own work. The necessary pre-conditions include the existence of standards and procedures set by the management, and their notification to and acceptance by personnel. This is a management responsibility.

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Safety Management Systems: Safety audits should be carried out regularly to ensure that international as well as national and local procedures and standards are fully observed. Audits, in cooperation with local management and personnel, are an effective method of checking the actual level of safety, whereas the traditional system of checks carried out by roving inspectors does not necessarily detect flaws or hazards. The establishment of a regular audit process is a vital element of a safety management system.

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Safety Management Systems: Aerodrome User regulations Reporting of AIP/NOTAM information Movement Area Access Aerodrome Emergency Plan Rescue and Fire fighting Movement Area inspection Visual Aids maintenance Movement Area maintenance

Joint ACAC/ACI Seminar on Certification of Aerodromes Marrakech, 5–6 September 2003 Winter services facilities, equipment and procedures Construction management Apron safety management, incl. vehicle traffic Wildlife hazard management Obstacle control Disabled aircraft removal Hazardous materials handling Low visibility operations Navigational aids