Congo

1) What have been your achievements in CAA and aviation in your country in 2022 ?

The National Civil Aviation Authority (CAA Congo), in conformity with the terms and conditions of the Civil Aviation Code governing the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (EMCCAS) and its related organisational instruments, has been conscientiously assuming the discharge of its mission in the areas of safety, security and air transport oversight.

The process of adapting the standards of the annexes of the International Civil Aviation Convention (ICAO – Chicago Convention) to the domestic laws has also been implemented.

In addition, the certification process for the Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire airports has entered into its final phase through the valuable support of the International Civil Aviation Organization Regional Office for West and Central Africa region (ICAO-WACAF). Similarly, the national safety programme development has been initiated.

In terms of bilateral relations, the draft Air Services Agreement initialed by the Civil Aviation Authorities of the Congo in conjunction with Côte d’Ivoire was signed between the two Governments on 22 November 2022.

Finally, the operational capacity of the airport law enforcement teams has been strengthened by equipping them with new patrol vehicles.

2) What are your challenges and how can AFCAC assist you?

The recurring and most compelling challenges for our Civil Aviation Authority remain the maintenance of a significant level of oversight capacity in the areas of safety, security and air transport, which will require experts, conversant with the current and future stakes involved. As such, AFCAC’s support for continued training activities will be highly appreciated. This is also an opportunity for us to commend and thank AFCAC for all the training activities so far provided and from which the Republic of Congo has benefited.

3) Your commitment to SAATM: how are you going to proceed with the implementation?

In accordance with the SAATM implementation roadmap, the Republic of Congo is rightly keeping up with its commitments and ensuring effectiveness of the various actions contained therein, among others, those pertaining to:

– The systematic endorsement of African airlines’ operational Plans;

– Celebration of the Yamoussoukro Decision Day;

– Participation in all meetings organised in the context of SAATM.

4) What can you say about SAATM PIP?

The President of the Republic of Congo, His Excellency Denis SASSOU N’GUESSO, was one of the eleven Heads of State and Government who initiated the SAATM. As a result, we are also a part and parcel of the SAATM Pilot Implementation Project member States.

Therefore, to express how strongly we believe in the importance of SAATM for Africa’s access to connectivity as well as increasing mobility of goods/services and people, trade and trade development, is an understatement.

To date, all designated African airlines operating in the Republic of Congo enjoy 5^th freedom rights. This is particularly the case of airlines, namely: Asky, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Air Côte d’Ivoire, Transair Senegal, Mauritiania Airlines, Rwandair, TAAG, Afrijet, etc.