Out of Africa

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has contracted the AviAssist Foundation to assist in the organization of a symposium on Regional Aviation Safety Agencies (RASAs) that will take place from 13-15 July in Livingstone, Zambia. The three day event, organized by EASA and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and hosted by the Zambian Department of Civil Aviation, aims to share experiences in and obstacles to regional approaches in Africa and other regions. The event will promote the concept of RASA as a solution to some of the safety oversight challenges faced in parts of Africa. ”It is a privilege for the AviAssist Foundation to work with EASA and AFCAC on promoting regional solutions” explained AviAssist Director Tom Kok. “Realistically, the level of aviation activity in many African countries is (yet) too low to generate the funds necessary to support effective and sustainable national safety oversight systems. Regional organizations, bringing together a workable number of states, offer the most economical way to pool resources for effective oversight.”