Laos got a high score from ICAO

VIENTIANE: Laos has been given a high score of 73% after an audit conducted last month by The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) team.

According to Mr.Yakua Lorpangkao, the director of the Lao Civil Aviation Department, it was a ‘historic milestone’ to receive such a high score from ICAO.

The ICVM team inspected personnel licensing, civil aviation legislation and regulations, aircraft operations, civil aviation organisation, air navigation services and airports.

The director also added that according to the audit, there were no significant safety issues regarding the country’s aviation management. This shows a striking contrast with the poor evaluation of Thailand earlier this year, which led to Japan prohibiting the new flight by Thai registered airlines.

“This means Lao Airlines as well as Lao Skyway and Lao Central Air can fly anywhere in the world, based on the audit’s evaluation,” he declared.

No further details about the audit recommendations or the scores have been revealed.

Laos was first evaluated by ICAO in April 1999, followed by the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme in March 2002 aimed to access the capacity and capability of DCA, especially those related to regulations and legislation in the aviation sector. Huge improvements have been made after this event. The first Lao Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) has been established in 2003 and the Law on Civil Aviation in 2005.