AACM hosts “CASP-AP Instructor’s Course”

With the globalization of the aviation industry and the rapid growth in air transportation, the challenges for maintaining aviation security have become greater. Since the handover of Macao to China, the gaming industry has been liberalized; the tourist figures continue to increase year to year; the aviation industry has also started to blossom. Facing the increased demand in air transportation, in addition to enhancing the economic growth of the industry, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) continues to reinforce its regulatory role to ensure that a high level of aviation security is strictly maintained. AACM invited Mr. Terence F. Alton, Aviation Security Training Consultant of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to provide an instructor’s training course named “Cooperative Aviation Security Programme-Asia/Pacific (CASP-AP) Instructor’s Course” from 26 to 30 November 2007 for both the aviation entities and the government bodies related with the industry. 

With the aim of equipping the aviation security managers with better knowledge in the field, especially in the identification of dangerous goods such as weapons,  explosives and so on, the training course trained the participants to be trainers for their organizations.

The concept of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme was developed from discussions held between ICAO and its Contracting States and Administrations after the occurrence of the September 11 terrorist attack in the USA. In an effort to provide assistance to Contracting States or Administrations in the Asia and Pacific Region, ICAO proposed the creation of the CASP-AP which was commended by the States or Administrations in the Region and the Programme was then created in 2002. The CASP-AP seeks to achieve compliance amongst Participating States and Administrations with the Standards and Recommended Practices detailed in Annex 17 (aviation security) of  the Chicago Convention, with other international conventions and the guidance materials provided by ICAO. It also aims to create a regional structure for cooperation and coordination of civil aviation security and for the training of aviation security personnel. 

Under the CASP-AP, participating States or Administrations can get assistance from ICAO in the following three areas: 1. developing legislation and implementing regulatons; 2. terrorism, risk and threat analysis; enforcement and compliance training; 3. developing national aviation security programme. AACM joined the CASP-AP in 2004 and since then has received assistance from ICAO in reviewing the international conventions relating to aviation security which are applicable to Macao and its implementation in the SAR, and in drafting the aviation security training programme. The course which was conducted in these five days is part of the training project of CASP-AP. 

To ensure that the Macao aviation regulations and the monitoring work comply with ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices, AACM continues to reinforce its supervision on the aviation operators to create a safe, healthy and orderly environment for the local industry. To mitigate the treat of a terrorist act against civil aircraft using liquid explosives, ICAO issued a recommendation to all Contracting States and Administrations urging them to implement the above measures with effect from 01 March 2007. To cope with such recommendation, Macao implemented the measures on the same day.

The training workshop was carried out in the multi-function room of AACM’s office. About 20 people attended the workshop who came from AACM, Macao Customs, Public Security Forces, ADA-Administration of Airports Ltd., Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd., SEMAC-Companhia de Segurança de Macau, Lda., Macau Catering Services Ltd., Nam Kwong Petroleum and Chemicals Company Ltd.,  Air Macau Company Ltd. and East Asia Airlines Ltd.

AACM invited Mr. Terence F. Alton, Aviation Security Training Consultant of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to provide a five-day instructor’s training course for both the aviation entities and the government bodies related with the industry.