by Felix Gonzalez

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) conducted a Safety Management Systems (SMS) Workshop which was hosted by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), this program was held at the Jolly Beach Resort and Spa in Antigua during the period June 10th – 12th, 2008.

This three (3) day workshop is designed to provide Senior Aviation personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge in order to enable them to identify and assess potential safety threats and implement measures to counteract the threats identified, in order to have a safer global Aviation Industry within their respective States.

The program was conducted by Mr. Mauricio Moran – SO & I Latin America & the Caribbean and Mr. Martin Mauriño – Manager Safety Analysis, Safety Department, both attached to IATA. The workshop consisted of twenty-nine (29) participants from the various airports and airlines within the member States of the OECS.

The general goals of the workshop were to provide the participants with knowledge of Safety Management Concepts, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) on Safety Management contained in Annexes 6, 11 and 14, their related guidance material and to develop participants knowledge on the implementation of key components of an SMS in compliance with relevant ICAO SARPs.