South Pacific aviation safety and security through regionalism: new initiatives for the Pacific Aviation Safety Office

This article examines the existing civil aviation safety and security apparatus in the Pacific region, looking at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (lCAO), and the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO). It argues that the current system of compliance monitoring through auditing and capacity building in the Pacific region is unsystematic and thus ineffective Pacific Island Countries rely on access to air transport routes for tourism and trade, mainstays of Pacific Island economies that promote economic development and reduce poverty. However, Pacific Island Countries have difficulty meeting ICAO international civil aviation safety and security standards because they lack the resources and technical expertise necessary to implement the standards contained within their legislation. PASO, a regional organisation, which was established to centralise regulatory oversight of civil aviation under the Chicago Convention, is beset by financial and organisational difficulties PASO must therefore secure alternative funding, or restructure so it no longer operates on a cost recoverable basis. This article discusses two alternative operational frameworks. The first is based on the Pacific maritime security model for auditing and capacity building; the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Regional Maritime Program (SPC-RMP). This is rejected in favour of a second model based on the International Air Transport Association's (lATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program. The rationale for this is discussed.