Opinions & Interviews

"The aviation security training center is a valuable addition to the ICAO global learning network, particularly for the European region, with a focus on the huge Russian-speaking audience. The modern center consisting of seven classrooms fully equipped with the latest technology and many years of experience in the field of aviation safety training makes Minsk indispensable and important for ICAO," s Fonseca de Almeida stated.

According to Luis Fonseca de Almeida, civil aviation remains a target for terrorist attacks. He cited the example of several recent terrorist attacks, including at Moscow airport in 2011, and Northwest Airlines bombing attempt in 2009. "These events underscore the need to maintain a high level of aviation security to prevent acts of unlawful interference with civil aviation. New threats such as the risk of cyber attacks, the use of ground-to-air missile pose a new challenge to the aviation security community," stated the head of the regional bureau. In this regard, safety rules should evolve in a fast paced environment, he added.

According to him, the new center in Minsk will provide standardized training and enhancement of qualifications courses to aviation security specialists in Belarus and all over the Russian-speaking region.

The center in Minsk will offer a wide range of basic and recurring courses (including in such areas as the regulations on transportation of hazardous goods) working closely with the ICAO. Training will be provided by seven nationally certified and one ICAO certified instructors with practical experience.

Having obtained the certificate of an ICAO aviation security training center on 15 May 2015, Minsk has joined the annual meeting of the board of directors of the regional security centers. "The meeting coordinates the work of nine centers in Europe and North Atlantic offering a common European position on the international arena. We will be glad to welcome Minsk representatives in January 2016,” said Luis Fonseca de Almeida.

The ICAO aviation security training center that opened at Minsk National Airport on 13 October is the world's 29th and 5th in the Russian-language space.

The Belarusian Ministry of Transport and Communication believes that the institution will improve the country's image in international air community and will help the country save foreign currency spent on training specialists abroad.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialized agency, created in 1944 upon the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). ICAO works with the Convention’s 191 member states and global aviation organizations to develop international standards and recommended practices which states reference when developing their legally-enforceable national civil aviation regulations.