Cote d'Ivoire

1) What have been your achievements in CAA and aviation in your country in 2022 ?

Throughout 2022, the National Civil Aviation Authority of Côte d’Ivoire has been successful in regulating the civil aviation system through effective safety and security oversight and the implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.

Some noteworthy achievements include:

• the obtainment in March 2022, of a compliance rate with security standards of 90.09% following the ICAO;
• the revision of the legislative and regulatory framework of the Ivorian civil aviation through the adoption of a new civil aviation code and six related government acts;
• the opening of two (02) new air routes, by the country’s national airline, Air Côte d’Ivoire, to Guinea Bissau (2 June, 2022) and South Africa (29 June, 2022);
• the success in the quality management system follow-up audit -1- for the maintenance of the ISO 9001 version 2015 Certificate obtained by the CAA in December, 2021;
• the designation of Côte d’Ivoire by ICAO as a pilot State for the implementation of the National Safety Programme (NSP) for the AFI zone and the subsequent launch of the NSP-related activities;
• the certification of the first unmanned aircraft operating facility in Côte d’Ivoire

These encouraging accomplishments led to Côte d’Ivoire’s receiving two certificates from the President of the ICAO Council during the 41st General Assembly held in Montreal from 27 September to 7 October 2022. The certificates were awarded to the Ivorian civil aviation in recognition of the progress made towards the establishment of an effective civil aviation safety and security oversight system and the enhancement of the full implementation of the relevant Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

2) What are your challenges and how can AFCAC assist you?

Strengthening the safety and security oversight capacity in order to improve upon the level of compliance with ICAO standards remains the major challenge of our civil aviation.

Most importantly, this means ensuring that Supervisory staff remain competent to effectively carry out the oversight and certification activities of the aviation industry.

Similarly, the effective implementation of the National Safety Programme (NSP) and the promotion of a safety culture through the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) by service providers, is a guarantee for the achievement of the tasks entrusted to CAA.

Moreover, as a SAATM PIP member State, Côte d’Ivoire must implement the priority measures of the Single African Air Transport Market for a full and effective implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

Therefore, training and activities are desirable in the following areas:

• Civil Aviation Supervisor;
• National Safety Programme (NSP) / Safety Management Systems (SMS);
• Certification of Approved Training Organisations (ATOs);
• Unmanned Aircraft;
• Resolving safety-related issues;
• Implementation of Risk-Based Oversight (RBO);
• Developing aerodrome master plans;
• Development of a National Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Database (eTOD);
• Air Law;
• Statistics;
• Economic regulation of air transport and consumer protection;
• Sustainable development of air transport.

3) Your commitment to SAATM: how are you going to proceed with the implementation?

• Participation of the Côte d’Ivoire CAA in various activities organised by AFCAC (meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.);
• Negotiations and signing of air service agreements in line with the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market;
• Hosting workshops to sensitise all stakeholders, and; Celebrating the anniversaries of the Yamoussoukro Decision;

4) What can you say about SAATM PIP?

SAATM PIP is a major initiative of ACFAC which aims at highlighting voluntary States committed to the unequivocal implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision, but above all to encourage other States to follow this initiative whose sole objective is the complete liberalisation of the African sky.

We are convinced that through the adherence of all States to SAATM, we will be able to improve the safety, competitiveness and quality of airlines in a spirit of fair competition, with the direct consequences of increased connectivity in Africa, as well as a notable alleviation in travel delays and reduced airfares.