What is a SAFA inspection?

The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) has developed an inspection program that complements ICAO safety oversight audits in Europe by concentrating checks of aircraft during stops at European airports. This inspection program is known as the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) Program.

ECAC member State aircraft, as well as aircraft from non-ECAC member States, are subject to ramp inspections that will evaluate the aircraft's documents and crew, the apparent condition of the aircraft and the carriage of mandatory cabin equipment. The intent of these inspections is to identify non-compliance with ICAO requirements set out in the Annexes to the Chicago Convention.