D-8 Organization has just successfully held the 5th Working Group Meeting on Civil Aviation in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 8-9 June 2011. The meeting, which was officially opened by the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Freddy Number, was important to collaborate, accommodate and cooperate all potential aspects in the Civil Aviation field. The Meeting also aimed at exchanging information regarding  the development  of Civil Aviation of all D-8 countries and facilitating opportunity for D-8 private sectors to meet each other.

In the opening Remarks, Mr. Numberi expressed his wish that through this meeting Civil Aviation potentialities of every member could be explored and presented in order to build a strong cooperation amongst D-8 member countries. He further informed that later on Indonesia will introduce Its latest product of N-219, a new generation of Short Take-off Landing (STOL) aircraft of which the most suitable for feeder line and or pioneer route

Member Countries took the opportunity to express their views, ideas and progress of the activities in the meeting. Turkey, for example, underlined that the signing of MoC with ICAO will boost the international recognition towards D-8 Civil Aviation cooperation particularly in the field of safety and security. Turkey also highlighted the accomplishments that have been reached such as the Training Program which provided by Turkey between 11-15 April 2011 in Ankara.

The meeting also agreed to follow up the outcome of the 4th Working Group on Civil Aviation held in Antalya-Turkey on 26-27 November 2010, such as the signing of potential cooperation between D-8 DGCA and ICAO & TMAG.

On the other side, for the purpose of future cooperation, Indonesia proposed some areas of cooperation in the field of aircraft design & manufacturing, aviation safety improvement, exchange of pilot student, exchange of pilot instructor, aircraft maintenance expertise and services, and air transport ancillary services.

Iran also proposed D-8 countries hold a seminar on CNS/ATM on a yearly basis in one of the states and declared Iran’s readiness to host the first seminar. Malaysia registered its warm invitation for D-8 Member Countries to make use of various modern training center it has, by the signing of the D-8 MoU.

Nigeria proposed each country appoint an expert for each Task Forces and in the TOR define the timeline and report to the DG.

Bangladesh emphasized the important contribution of D-8 Civil Aviation cooperation and suggested ideas for future cooperation such as continuation of training, sharing expertise, and infrastructure investment, harmonization for ICAO’s SARP implementation. It was also mentioned they needs of human resources development including pilot and engineer.

Pakistan developed the expertise in installation and operation automated massage handling system and contingency and search and rescue plan development. Pakistan proposed further cooperation among D-8 countries in the area of establishment of aircraft and associated manufacturing centers, pooling and training facilities, standarization, collaboration amongst D-8 countries in aviation sector.

Turkey briefed the Meeting on issues such as pilot numbers, licensed technician numbers, flight training organization, trainees, authorised type rating training organization, maintenance training organization, organization training simulator and civil aviation school. Turkey declared to conduct an aviation training in Cappadocia Vocational College Sabiha Gokcen Campus for D-8 member countries.

The Meeting also agreed on the following arrangement:

a.    The Task Forces will have a meeting at least once a year before the Working Group Meeting. However if the Task Forces deems it necessary, the Task Forces may convened their own meeting;

b.    The Chairman and Deputy Chairman for each Task Forces will be as follows:

i.    Task Force on Commercial Issues: Chairman Indonesia, Deputy Chairman Turkey;

ii.    Task Force on Training and Capacity Building: Chairman Turkey, Deputy Chairman Nigeria;

iii.    Task Force on Safety and Security: Chairman Malaysia, Deputy Chairman Pakistan;

iv.    Task Force on Air Navigation and Air Traffic Management: Chairman Iran, Deputy Chairmans Bangladesh and Egypt.

The photos from this meeting can be seen by directly clicking here.

Photos of other activities of D-8 Organization can be seen from our gallery by clicking here.