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STATES OF JERSEY
DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION - ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Presented to the States on 7th February 2023
by the Minister for External Relations and Financial Services
STATES GREFFE
2023 R.20
THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION 2022 ANNUAL REPORT |
to the |
STATES ASSEMBLY |
By the Acting Director of Civil Aviation, Jersey |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Office of the Director of Civil Aviation has been supported this year by Inez Bartolo, with John Nicholas joining in September as Acting Director of Civil Aviation (DCA). The new DCA role supports the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey jointly, and assumes regulatory responsibility for aviation activities in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney. In this initial period, the DCA has undertaken a review of the operation and the support provided by the Office of the DCA (ODCA) across both Bailiwicks and will present recommendations for future development to the States Assembly in the New Year. This will include sharing of expert aviation resources across the Channel Islands to improve Regulatory and Safety oversight and create opportunities for efficiencies. Concurrently, the new DCA wishes to improve engagement with the Aviation community, and in particular with the General Aviation community and private aircraft owners.
Finally, in recognising previous commitments regarding the State Safety Plan, the DCA plans to develop and introduce a revised State Safety Plan in 2023.
PASSENGER NUMBERS
Air connectivity is critical to Jersey's economy and the quality of life for Islanders. As reported in previous annual reports, the pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the travel sector globally with passengers down 76% in 2020 and 61% in 2021. A strong recovery in passenger numbers has been seen in 2022, with Jersey outperforming many of the airports in the UK. Whilst it is difficult to predict future passenger projections with certainty, it is clear that Jersey is benefiting from a strong demand from people wishing to travel which, in turn, has required the close monitoring from the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation (ODCA) to ensure safety is maintained during this period of growth/change.
ICAO AUDIT OF THE UK MEMBER STATE
As a signatory to the Chicago Convention, the UK is required to undergo auditing of its safety oversight capabilities by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) through the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). ICAO recently undertook such an audit of the UK aviation system with the Department for Transport (DfT) including the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The audit consisted of two elements: Firstly, a State Safety Programme Implementation Assessment (SSPIA) from 16 November to 28 November, which is an assessment focusing on the maturity of the UK's State Safety Programme. Secondly, a focussed Continuing Monitoring Assessment (CMA) audit was performed to assess the level of effective compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The formal report from ICAO on the outcome of the audits will be provided to the DfT in early 2023.
Whilst the Crown Dependencies (CDs) were not included in the scope of the recent audit, ICAO has indicated that it also intends to audit a CD within the next two years. DfT is in discussion with the ODCA with the intention, to undertake USOAP verification audits in 2023/24 to ensure preparedness and to test compliance. The DCA recognises the importance of completing ICAO compliance activities to provide assurance across the entire UK aviation system and is working closely with DfT.
During 2022 the ODCA made significant progress towards completing the ICAO compliance activities (Protocol Questions and Compliance Checklists), the outcome of which will result in the production of a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for those areas that require further review. The CAP will be the method by which DCA plans to assure compliance with ICAO annexes in Jersey.
DCA REGULATORY OVERSIGHT (direct and through the CAA and EASA)
In 2022 the ODCA provided regulatory oversight with support from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The following oversight activities were conducted:
Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) – EASA
Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) Training Organisation – EASA and CAA Jersey Meteorology – EASA
Aviation Security – CAA
Jersey International Air Display - ODCA
In addition to the audits and regulatory meetings, the ODCA engaged with Ports of Jersey Ltd (POJL) on several areas that are planned for the future, including:
Aerodrome transition to UK Basic Regulation
Replacement Runway 26 Instrument Landing System
New Voice Communication System
Next Generation Security Equipment
Airport Master Plan
Next Generation Aircraft Technology (specifically Hydrogen Power) Channel Islands Airspace
Cyber Security
Drone Technology (Agile Integrated Airspace System (ALIAS))
DFT VISIT TO JERSEY
The Deputy Head of International Aviation Safety and the International Aviation Safety Policy Advisor from the UK Department for Transport were invited to Jersey during November 2022, as part of the ODCA drive to establish ongoing communications with UK DfT. Whilst on the island, they met with members of the Government, the ODCA and management team at Jersey Airport. Their visit included a familiarisation tour of the airfield and visual control tower as well as a detailed briefing on the airport's Master Plan, the operation and workforce and a briefing on the airport's sustainability ambitions for the future, (Climate, Biodiversity, Waste and Circularity, People).
STATE SAFETY BOARD (SSB)
During 2022, the ODCA represented Jersey at the DfT SSB, providing input to the Director General of Civil Aviation as they carry out their responsibilities monitoring the top safety risks to the UK.
The SSB provides opportunities for good communications between authorities and helps drive the effective implementation of the UK SSP. It meets bi-annually with a standing agenda that covers subjects such as: Safety risk picture, Domestic objectives and priorities, international objectives and priorities (covering any issues relating to Crown Dependencies) and topical deep dives' into safety issues, e.g., the risks of undeclared/undetected/damaged lithium-ion battery devices carried in the holds of aircraft'.
FOREIGN CARRIER PERMITS (FCP)
All non-UK/Channel Islands air carriers that wish to undertake commercial services to and from Jersey are required to hold an FCP before that flight is undertaken. The system of issuing permits provides an opportunity for the DCA to verify the safety and airworthiness of aircraft entering the Channel Islands Control Zone. In 2022 the DCA issued approximately 558 permits, representing an increase of over 100 from the 2021 statistics.
SAFETY PROMOTION
As part of its safety actions, the ODCA and Jersey Airport monitors safety performance across many areas, including:
Runway Incursion and Excursion | Airborne Clearance Deviation |Taxiway Incursion and Excursion | Level Bust |Airspace Infringement |Foreign Object Debris (FOD) |Bird/Wildlife Strikes
To raise awareness to these risks and to remind everybody of their responsibilities, the airport hosts several workshops and safety meetings throughout the year, which the ODCA attends. In addition, it produces Poster Campaigns covering specific aspects of safety that are being monitored by both ODCA and Jersey Airport. In addition, the ODCA undertakes its own safety promotion by producing its annual DCA Newsletter, targeting those areas aligned to the airport's Safety Objectives, in addition to other topics of interest. The 2022 Newsletter can be viewed here.
Acting Director of Civil Aviation for Jersey
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