Program
Transport Canada works with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency, to improve aviation safety and security around the world. The Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Program (COSCAP) is an ICAO’s initiative to provide member states with ways to cooperate and share resources to improve aviation safety oversight. Through the COSCAP, member states which do not have sufficient resources receive support for updating regulations, procedures, professional training, infrastructure development and other oversight activities. Canada has provided financial and technical support to the COSCAP since its inception. Since 2003, Transport Canada has supported the COSCAP initiative for North Asia which includes the People’s Republic of China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and Mongolia. Between 2009 and 2014, Transport Canada contributed $130,000 in grant each year to the COSCAP North Asia.
Evaluation
The current evaluation updates the 2009 evaluation by focusing on key information including Transport Canada’s financial data and information from ICAO documents. The evaluation covers the period from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2014.
Evaluation Results
- There is an on-going need for the Program. With a rapid economic growth in Asia, air traffic in North Asia is on the rise. The Program helps the member states of the COSCAP North Asia improve their aviation-safety oversight by offering training courses.
- An increasing number of professionals have been trained through the COSCAP North Asia. Member states improved their compliance with the ICAO standards and recommended practices for safety.
- North Asia had no fatal accidents in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, North Asia had 48 fatal accidents while the Asia-Pacific region had 449 fatal accidents. The region covered by the COSCAP North Asia has maintained good safety outcomes.
- The Program led to opportunities for Transport Canada to participate in other safety initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region, without making additional financial contributions. This shows a good use of the Program.
- If Canada were to stop participating in the COSCAP, Canada would no longer be part of international discussions which could affect Canadian flights to this region.