About the Safety & Security Regulation Department

The Safety and Security Regulation Department of the Authority (SCAA) is vested with the responsibility of ensuring a balanced and cost effective approach to safety oversight inclusive of initial certification and continued surveillance that ensures the development and operation of civil air transport in Seychelles is safe, and in accordance with national and international standards and requirements. Seychelles as a signatory to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Chicago Convention (hence being a Contracting State) has committed itself to the provision of a standardised and internationally accepted approach to the regulation and safety oversight of civil air transport. When permitting or undertaking local or international aviation activities within this mandate, Seychelles incurs certain obligations under the Chicago Convention, its Annexes and applicable Standards.

“Safety Oversight” is defined, as a function by means a State shall ensure the effective implementation of safety related Standards (SARPs) and Recommended Practices, associated Annexes to the Convention on Civil Aviation and related ICAO documents. However, is not limited to these Standards. Sufficient flexibility exists for individual States to make provisions it considers (through experience and expertise), over and above ICAO Standards. In this way Safety Oversight ensures that national aviation industry provides a safety level equal to, or better than that defined by the ICAO SARPs. The responsibility of States for safety oversight covers the complete spectrum of civil aviation in their State and aircraft registered in their State operating in other Contracting States. As such, an individual State’s responsibility for safety oversight is the foundation upon which safe global aircraft operations are built. The lack of safety oversight in one State therefore threatens the health of international civil aircraft operation. Seychelles responsibilities cannot be underestimated in this regard as safety oversight is a major obligation the implementation of which ensures the continued safety, regularity and efficiency of civil air transport.

The safety oversight obligations of the department are targeted at six main areas as seen in the groups below:

  • Airworthiness
    The primary roles of the Airworthiness and Aircraft Licensing Inspectorate are to approve organisations conducting maintenance of aircraft and those organisations responsible for continuing airworthiness of aircraft. The Inspectorate oversees the safety of Airworthiness and Maintenance activities in the Seychelles through an approval processes followed by continuous regulatory oversight. The inspectorate also allocates civil registration marks, registers civil aircraft and maintain the Civil Aircraft Register. The Inspectorate interprets and implements international regulations and standards applicable to Airworthiness, Maintenance and Environmental Protection (Aircraft Noise and Emissions), including ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) by promulgating standards applicable in Seychelles. It works closely with the Personnel Licensing Officer in the development and application of standards for assessing Aircraft Engineer Licensing and Approve Training Organisations. It collaborates closely with the Flight Operations Inspectorate on matters concerning continuing airworthiness management responsibilities of commercial operators, approval of special operations (EDTO, RVSM, and LVO operations) and in safety authorisation and assessment of foreign aircraft programme. The Airworthiness Inspectorate also assists with the investigation, reporting and initiation of follow-up action in respect of aviation accidents and incidents for the purpose of enforcement and acts as SME in support of other investigative authorities/bodies.
  • Flight Operations

    The primary role of Flight Operations and Flight Crew Licensing Inspectorate is the certification and continuous oversight of commercial air transport and general aviation operators, extending to Flight Crew Licensing. Within the certification and continuous oversight of operators, the Inspectorate is responsible for the certification and surveillance of transport of Dangerous goods within the territory of Seychelles through the Dangerous Goods Office. It coordinates with the Personnel Licensing Office in the issuance of licenses, certificates and ratings for flight crew and Training Organizations including oversight functions. It collaborates closely with the Airworthiness Inspectorate on matters concerning operational and specific approvals (ETOPS, RVSM, PBN and LVO operations) and safety assessment and surveillance of foreign operators’ programme. The Inspectorate also coordinates with the SCAA’s Commercial Department and other inspectorates as and when required. The Flight Operations Inspectorate also assists with the investigation, reporting and initiation of follow-up action in respect of aviation accidents and incidents for the purpose of enforcement and acts as SME in support of other investigative authorities/bodies.

  • Personnel Licensing

    The Personnel Licensing Office acts as the focal point to the industry on all matters pertaining to aviation Personnel Licensing. Its primary functions are to conduct preliminary processing and preparation for issuance of all aviation Personnel Licenses (flight crew, aircraft maintenance engineer and air traffic control officers), approvals and certificates. All Personnel Licensing matters are coordinated with the respective Inspectorates that have the regulatory expertise in the particular licensing field.

    Safety oversight activities with regards to Personnel Licensing is a function undertaken by qualified inspectors, in accordance with their respective training programs as follows:

    1. For Flight Crews, the Flight Operations and Flight Crew Licensing Inspectorate;
    2. For Engineers, the Airworthiness and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licensing Inspectorate; and
    3. For Air traffic Control Officers, the Air Navigation Standards and Air Traffic Control Officer Licensing Inspectorate.

    The Aero-Medical Section comprising of Aero-Medical Assessors and Designated Medical Examiners are an integral part of the Personnel Licensing Office.

  • Aerodrome Standards

    The primary role of Aerodrome Standards Inspectorate is to certify all those aerodromes required under the Seychelles civil aviation regulations. The Inspectorate oversees the safety of aviation activities at certified aerodromes in the Seychelles through the certification process followed by continuous regulatory oversight. All aspects of the aerodrome and heliport and its management which have an impact on aeronautical safety are considered. The Inspectorate interprets and implements international regulations and standards applicable to Aerodrome Standards, including ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) by promulgating standards applicable in Seychelles. It works closely with the Flight Operations Inspectorate in the development of recommended best practices for operation at unlicensed aerodromes and heliports. It collaborates closely with the Air Navigation Standards and ATCO Licensing Inspectorate and Seychelles air navigation service providers (ANSPs) to facilitate the development of effective Safety Management Systems within the air navigation service environments.

  • Air Navigation Standards

    The Air Navigation Standards and ATCO Licensing Inspectorate oversees the safety provision of civil Air Navigation Services (ANS) in the Seychelles. This includes Air Traffic Services (ATS), Aviation Meteorology Services (MET), Aeronautical Telecommunication Services (CNS), Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), Flight Procedure Design (PANS-OPS), Aeronautical Charts (Cartography) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Services.This is through the certification, licensing and approval of various elements including organisations, personnel, equipment and safety procedures involved in the provision of a safe air navigation services followed by continuous regulatory oversight. The Inspectorate interprets and oversees the implementation of international regulations and standards applicable to the provision of ANS. It works closely with Seychelles ANS providers to facilitate the development of effective Safety Management Systems within ANS. It also oversees regulatory matters relating to Air Traffic Controllers’ Licensing in close collaboration with the Personnel Licensing Office. The Inspectorate also coordinates with other Inspectorates of the Department as may be required. Furthermore, the Inspectorate assists with the investigation, reporting and initiation of follow-up action in respect of aviation accidents and incidents for the purpose of enforcement and provides advisory services to other investigative authorities.

  • AVSEC

    The Aviation Security (AVSEC)/Facilitation Regulation Inspectorate is mandated by the CEO of SCAA as the Appropriate Authority for Aviation Security in Seychelles to ensure that international and national aviation security standards and regulations are maintained by all entities. Its primary functions are:

    1. Establishment, production, promulgation and frequent review of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) to ensure it continues to reflect the State’s obligations and is consistent with government policy;
    2. Defining and allocating of tasks that support the implementation of the NCASP by agencies, aircraft operators, airports and all other concerned entities;
    3. Establishment of operational criteria and their promulgation to those responsible for implementing security measures;
    4. Conduct of risk assessment and constant analysis of the level of threat to civil aviation and the ability of aircraft operators, airports, etc.…, to counter the perceived level of threat;
    5. Promulgation of threat information to the industry in a timely manner;
    6. Management of information on any threat or incident and on the type and amount of restricted articles discovered or confiscated;
    7. Fosterage and promotion of good working relationships, cooperation and the exchange of relevant information among States, particularly among neighboring States and those having major air links;
    8. Review and assurance of the adequacy of security programmes implemented by airports, aircraft operators, air traffic service providers, cargo handlers and other entities;
    9. Enhancement of aviation security through the development dissemination of progressive and proactive administrative and operational practices, and promotion of their use by security services, airport management and aircraft operators; and
    10. Certification of personnel conducting Aviation Security duties, training and issuing of Crew Member Certificates (CMCs).