Development of the Safety Oversight Authority in Haiti

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The end of 2024 coincided with the conclusion of our project to assist in the development of the safety oversight authority in Haiti, the Direction de la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile en Haïti (DSACH).

This ambitious project lasted 3 years. 3 intensive years of work during which the country’s situation was not easy. Nevertheless, we were able to find the means to work in continuity with our Haitian colleagues, thanks to the determination of our team of experts and the remote working tools and methods that we have refinedover the last few years.

The disciplines covered by this project were as follows:

  • Aerodromes (AGA)
  • Air Navigation (ANS)
  • Air Operations (OPS)
  • Airworthiness (AIR)
  • Licensing (PEL)
  • Safety Management (SSP)

The Legislative (LEG) and Organizational (ORG) frameworks, already well advanced thanks to previous work with DSNA Services, were strengthened, but no questioning or improvement of the Organic Law or the Civil Aviation Code was proposed, as it would have been impossible to validate them due to the parliamentary situation in Haiti during the project.

More than 2,000 pages of regulations were developed, along with some 3,000 pages of manuals, guides and other brochures, both for DSACH staff and for operators required to comply with the regulations. The project ended with effective audits conducted by DSACH inspectors. Each inspector was evaluated, and elements for a continuous training and skills development program were shared. Surveillance programs for 2025 were also proposed by FRACS to DSACH.

All these elements and the methods used to supervise safety have been mastered by DSACH staff, and a consolidated organization has been put in place. It now remains to maintain this active momentum and ensure that operators implement corrective action plans in response to the audits carried out. DSACH and OFNAC must not let their guard down!

After completing all the protocol questions required by ICAO’s USOAP program, we are delighted to have achieved an a priori score of 67% satisfactory results, placing Haiti in the regional average for the ICAO’s NACC (North, Central America and Caribbean) region. The last ICAO audit in Haiti in 2012 gave the country a score of less than 5%.

Cooperation with our Haitian friends continues as part of the modernization of the Air Navigation Services, and we will of course be keeping a close eye on DSACH over the coming months.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the entire team of experts who worked on this project: Patrick, Geneviève, Maxime, Bernard, Michel, Yves, Pierre, Marc, Luc, Mélanie and Emanuela, who worked tirelessly to achieve this result. This outcome could not have been achieved without the dynamism of our friends at DSACH, and in particular the strong commitment of its director, Ms. Gina Laborde.

Let’s hope that 2025 will bring hope and solutions for Haiti, which is experiencing many difficulties.