The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) is currently in the advanced stage of finalizing a new format to the pilot and aircraft maintenance engineer's licences it issues on behalf of the states comprising the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The current "book style" licences will be replaced by "credit card style" licences, and are being developed in partnership with other Caricom states in an effort to harmonize all such licences throughout the Caribbean region. Though similar in content, each Civil Aviation Authority within the harmonized region will assign its own unique distinguishing logo to the licences which it issues.

Licences issued will be in full conformity to ICAO standards and, it is anticipated that issuance of the new licences will commence during the second half of 2008. Once the process commences, issuance to individual licence holders will be effected at the time licences are due for renewal. Thus replacement licences will be issued on a phased basis.

During the month when licences are renewable, licence holders will be required to present themselves to the authority for the purpose of having their photograph taken.

The ECCAA will advise in due course the actual commencement time of the revamped licensing system.