Now that you’ve built your dream airport, what’s next? If this is the question that springs into your mind, we have the answer to it: Airport certification.
Every business operates on the sole criteria of trust. To make your airport safe and worthy of carrying domestic and international flights, aerodrome certification must be a priority for every functional airport.
Without proper administration, security, rules, and regulations, an airport cannot operate. After all, an airport constitutes everything from basic domestic flights to very complex circuits of international and domestic arrivals and departures.
The Need For Aerodrome Certification
A fully operational multinational airport consists of many square kilometers of land with complex runway patterns, service terminals, a large number of cargo stations, passenger corridors, tuck shops, waiting spaces, and several linked systems.
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When you evaluate the complex network of connected services and technologies that are taking place at the same time in an aerodrome, you immediately feel a dire need to ensure the safety and management of various services.
These measures should be taken in such a way that ensures sustained development in the volume of passenger and employee traffic.
The need for a formal certification system is particularly critical for an airport launching for the first time.
It holds significance for both, the aviation administration issuing the authorization to open and run the airport and for the airport operator who is anticipating the implementation of its operational model.
Now that you know how vital an airport certification service is, let’s get down to learning the various terminologies and standards associated with it and how to certify your airport according to the ICAO standards (International Civil Aviation Organization).
All About ICAO
Through the information mentioned above, it is evident that an aerodrome needs legal authentication from a higher authority that the services offered by it are safe and secure.
The higher authority that monitors and validates the operations occurring at an aerodrome is the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
The ICAO introduced aerodrome certification services in 2001 that had the sole motto of examining the elements and operations of an aerodrome to confirm they comply with the global SARPs (Standard And Recommended Practices).
The entire cycle of the airport certification process is regulated by a number of ICAO requirements, which range from the creation of a specific mechanism to the planning and implementation of a certification project.
An aerodrome certification course might be one way of getting to know the complex procedure of issuing this certificate. But, keep reading to get to know the basic information regarding the aerodrome certification as per the standards set by ICAO.
The Requirements For An Aerodrome Certification
Before you apply for the certification, it is desirable to double-check your checklist of requirements that must be fulfilled in order to stand eligible for aerodrome certification.
These requirements have been identified in the aerodrome manual (ADM), which will be discussed later in this article.
In a nutshell, these requirements include the following:
- The aerodrome must adhere to the safety precautions and guidelines listed in the Safety Management System (SMS).
- The airport staff must be proficient in handling emergency situations, and the safety equipment must be up-to-date.
- Rescue and firefighting resources must be readily available.
- The aerodrome must enact fundamental aviation laws.
- The aerodrome must create and implement CAA regulations.
- There must be no obstacle surrounding the runways that may obstruct the departure and arrival of airplanes on the field.
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The Process Of Aerodrome Certification
Prior to issuing a request for the certification, it is highly imperative to know well about the intricate processings related to airport security and regulations in order to comply with the requirements set by the ICAO.
If an aerodrome fails to meet the desired quota or measure of safety and smoothness of operations in an airport, the certificate issuance might be rejected, and your airport may lie idle without any passenger or freight traffic trusting your services.
Therefore, the following description explains the procedure and requirements of aerodrome certification simultaneously so that you know what you have been applying for and what are the key factors to assess before making an application.
The Synopsis
The process of aerodrome certification has several steps, more precisely milestones, to achieve that indicates an airport is safe to operate under the ICAO’s requirements.
The process starts with the creation of a Safety Management System (SMS), which serves as the foundation for aerodrome certification and is based on high-level operational planning.
This high-level planning includes the key documents from which the aviation authority could assess the systems and procedures at the airport.
Thereafter, The Aerodrome Manual (ADM), Emergency Response Plan (ERP), and Security Program usually express them in accordance with the SMS principles.
Together, they constitute the aerodrome inspection checklist, which serves as the foundation for determining whether or not an airport satisfies the requirements for certification.
The criteria provided in these high-level papers, which are demonstrated by all related Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs), are then used to establish operational planning.
This plan adheres to the overall operational planning for aerodromes and is handled within the parameters of the aerodrome certification procedure.
These series of steps will further help you determine the shortcomings of your aerodrome and what needs to be fixed in order to build the trust of your passenger traffic.
Moreover, these steps apply to all airport categories ICAO, regardless of being labeled as commercial, cargo, reliever, or general aviation airports.
So, without further ado, let us get down to knowing the steps and requirements of this procedure.
● The Aerodrome Manual (ADM)
The aerodrome manual, which contains information regarding the physical features, facilities, operations, and essential facilitation factors of the airport, is the primary need for certification.
It provides details on the tools primarily employed in flight operations as well as normal operating procedures.
It also includes important policies, requirements, and procedures that must be followed to guarantee that all workers, irrespective of the organization, are fully aware of their responsibilities.
A high-level document called the operations handbook is updated in response to modifications made to airport routines and continual advancements in safety protocols.
The line of command, the responsibilities of air travelers, and the responsibilities of all linked entities with regard to the execution of operations must all be clearly outlined in the manual’s regulations.
In a nutshell, the following are the essential details that must be covered in an aerodrome manual:
- Details on the location of the aerodrome.
- Adherence to the safety precautions and operational guidelines for the airfield listed in the SMS.
- Evidence of the equipment and staff’s proficiency.
- Evidence of the availability of rescue and firefighting resources.
- Verification of the aerodrome’s coordination with other crucial divisions, such as meteorological and aeronautical support.
- The outcome of environmental investigations conducted in cooperation with the appropriate government agency.
- A comprehensive examination of any obstacles near the airport.
The details in the ADM are, in actuality, the requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to attain the aerodrome certification. A careful look into these requirements can save you from the hassle of applying and getting rejected again and again.
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● Safety Management System (SMS)
For an airfield to be authorized, a fully operational SMS that corresponds with the ICAO Safety Management Manual is required, as per ICAO Annex 14.
A methodical approach to the creation of safety rules, processes, and standards is required to allow the airport administration to meet its obligations.
Therefore, SMS acts as the framework for the safety practices of all relevant parties in airport services. SMS controls safety in a comprehensive, preventative, and transparent manner.
However, there is more to this management system. It has several other components that need to be considered well before making an application. The components include the following:
1. Safety Guidelines
The organization’s goals and security plan are defined in its safety blueprint, which is the first indication of the devotion to ensuring safety. It formally demonstrates the dedication of an airport management team to preserving and improving both physical and human assets for the purpose of safety.
The employees’ performance management at an airport needs to be given specific attention because it is closely tied to their national, professional, and social cultures.
2. Organization
This describes the responsibilities and tasks at every level of the administrative organization of the airport. Also defined are the responsibilities for particular processes and actions that must be carried out without duplication or omission.
3. Performance Judgment
It includes a list of predetermined goals, an elaboration of performance indicators, the development of a system for reporting incidents, procedures for gathering and analyzing data, the production of regular safety facts and figures, and a framework for analyzing reported incidents.
4. Safety Examination
Safety inspections are a crucial part of any SMS and one of the best approaches for carrying out the responsibilities of monitoring safety performances.
They provide information on the level of safety in operations, identify uncertain situations where corrective action may, indeed, be required, and assess how consistently airport employees follow operating protocols.
Consistency in the execution of comparable jobs by different work shifts is vital to ensuring an airport operates with the same level of professionalism and security throughout its 24-hour business schedule.
To complete this stage, the aerodrome staff requires a ground security coordinator certification in order to prove their eligibility to handle certain safety issues.
5. Safety Promotion
It provides the framework through which the lessons learned from safety incident investigations and other similar activities are conveyed to all pertinent personnel by fully involving staff in maintaining and improving safety.
It provides a means of encouraging the development of a wonderful, secure workplace environment. It is possible to achieve this in a combination of ways, such as through seminars, safety procedures, ongoing training, and safety publications and booklets.
6. Risk Analysis And Management
The aviation industry is continually exposed to a number of weaknesses, many of which have the capacity to jeopardize the business of an airport operator and put the safety of the assets or people, including travelers, at risk.
However, not all vulnerabilities can be completely avoided, and not all measures for risk reduction are practical from an economic standpoint. Conclusions must, therefore, be made in light of the probability and severity of any unfavorable outcomes.
In this manner, a system is proposed for anticipating dangers and determining how to lessen the threat they pose.
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● Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
This plan will outline how to respond in urgent circumstances that could adversely affect the operation of the airport, as well as how to carry on with business as usual and recover from any negative impacts. The details of this strategy may comprise the following:
- Procedures for dealing with emergencies that happen at the airport or nearby. The aircraft-related emergencies may involve aircraft breakdowns during the flight, threats of the explosion, or illegal seizures. In addition, non-aircraft-related emergency situations may involve fire outbreaks, traffic accidents within the vicinity of an airport, bomb threats, natural catastrophes or extreme weather conditions, accidents involving hazardous items, and quarantine situations.The guidelines and requirements needed to establish a Crisis Management Centre, along with the designation of an airport commander in charge of emergency preparations.
- Information on the apparatus involved in emergency services and how frequently they are evaluated.
- Instructions for emergency response drills for passengers and airport workers.
- A list of the businesses or people involved in executing the emergency plan, including contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses.
● All Related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be developed by each unit involved in the ongoing management of an airport, describing its responsibilities and interactions with other departments.
Many of these make direct references to elaborate processes, justifications, or job directions for the accomplishment of the routine responsibilities of airport employees. SOPs are divided into two main categories:
- Departmental SOPs, which deal with issues such as baggage handling systems, terminal services, maintenance, and flight operations.
- Inter-Departmental SOPs, which are required since several departments are engaged in the establishment and updating of these procedures. These SOPs require collaboration because they have interfaces between multiple departments.
● Security Measures
Every airport is required to have a security program in place that adheres to the ICAO Security Manual’s guidelines and takes IATA security standards into consideration.
This plan aims to protect against any unlawful behavior that can endanger the security and integrity of airplanes or passengers, as well as the architecture of the airport, and ensure the safety of all flights that land at and depart from the airport.
Instructions for lowering the probability of illegal acts will be included in this program. Additionally, it will include instructions on the security framework and employee responsibilities related to the aviation industry.
● Evaluating Operational Readiness
Planning, supervising, and implementing an operational readiness campaign as part of the aforementioned aerodrome certification and operational program management is essential for the effective launch of a new airport.
The links between the airline systems, the people that will be hired, and the implementation of its procedures are extensively examined at this stage, where the operational strategy planning is validated and authorized.
The primary way an airport operator can tell if the airfield is ready to operate safely is through trial operations.
This is crucial because airports are more prone to experience technological problems in their early phases of operation, which, when combined with a lack of understanding about how to address them, could result in operational errors.
During trials, the end users can assess their operational readiness and integrate their business practices with the goals and environment of the new airport. Additionally, the airport community’s confidence in operational readiness is boosted by the testing at the airport.
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Where To Get Your Aerodrom Certification Service From?
Approaching the right platform to get your aerodrome certification done can pave the way to a huge success for your aerodrome. If you are looking for such a trustworthy agency, Airport Engineering Services (AES) is at your service!
AES creates documents that are compliant with national and international civil aviation regulations. Due to its in-depth knowledge of this highly complex industry, it is committed to producing entire sets of legal documentation in a timely and economical manner.
The team at AES works diligently with each client to develop the systems and practices required to meet all national and international requirements for aerodrome certification, which adhere to ICAO norms and other industry-recognized benchmarks, such as TSA certification requirements for cargo transit.
The Final Word
The safety and management of an airport is an imperative part of its lifecycle. Therefore, an aerodrome certification can guarantee the trust of employees and passengers in attaining services from an airport, making it a huge success.
Therefore, stop waiting and get in touch with AES for their laudable and competent services regarding aerodrome certification if you want to experience the flawless running of your airfield. AES, however, provides much more than just airport certification services.
If you’re searching for services like airport engineering, airfield, and terminal design, ORAT, operational assistance, special airport system, and airport master planning, get in touch with AES and enjoy the benefits!
