International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has completed its Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) of Nepal after making its debriefing at CAAN Head Office, Babar Mahal in 11 July 2017. ICAO had sent ICVM on the request of Nepal to evaluate the progress made by Nepal to address the safety deficiencies, including Significant Safety Concern (SSC) in aircraft certification process, identified during similar type of validation Mission in 7-13 July 2013.
In 20 December 2016, CAAN had formally sent a letter to ICAO stating that it is now ready for ICAO Validation Mission in all eight audit areas i.e. Legislation (LEG), Organization (OPS), Personnel Licensing (PEL), Operations (OPS), Airworthiness (AIR), Accident Investigation (AIG), Air Navigation Services (ANS) and Aerodrome (AGA). However, ICAO decided to send ICVM in four areas Legislation, Organization, Operations and Airworthiness giving priority to the SSC.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is satisfied with the audit and believes that SSC identified in OPS and AIR will be alleviated and the overall status of Effective Implementation (EI) of ICAO Safety Standards and associated provisions will be raised above the global benchmark of 60 percent. ICVM Team will submit its audit report to the ICAO SSC Committee within 15 days and subsequently ICAO will notify Nepal about the audit result. However, the final report of the ICVM will only be available in December 2017.
