Singapore's Aviation Safety Regime Robust and Effective

16 September 2022

         Singapore has achieved good results in two separate global aviation safety audit and assessment, affirming the robustness and effectiveness of its aviation safety oversight and management regime, as it prepares for a strong recovery in air travel after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the safety audit and assessment for Singapore were released recently by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which conducted the audit and assessment.

2     Singapore has completed an ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) audit with zero findings and attained an Effective Implementation score of 99.7 per cent. This is the highest score achieved by any State in the USOAP audit to date. The current global average score is 67.5 per cent.

3     Singapore has separately also completed the ICAO Phase 2 State Safety Programme Implementation Assessment (SSPIA). The strong results attained from the assessment acknowledge that Singapore has in place a robust and effective State Safety Programme to proactively identify, manage and mitigate safety risks.

Singapore Attains Top Score with No Finding for the ICAO USOAP Audit

4     The ICAO USOAP audit assesses a Member State’s safety oversight system and checks its compliance with and implementation of ICAO standards and recommended practices and guidance materials. All 193 ICAO Member States are required to undergo the USOAP audit periodically. The latest ICAO USOAP audit of Singapore was conducted from 18 to 22 April 2022. The last audit of Singapore was conducted in 2010. At that time, Singapore achieved an Effective Implementation score of 98.6 per cent.

Singapore is First Member State to Undergo Phase 2 SSPIA

5     The ICAO SSPIA goes beyond an audit of a Member State’s compliance with standards and recommended practices to assess the effectiveness and maturity of its State Safety Programme to proactively identify and manage safety risks. The level of maturity of each of the 44 aspects of the State Safety Programme is assessed and graded from “Level 0” to “Level 4”. Currently, States are assessed only up to “Level 3” as the Phase 2 SSPIA is new, introduced in 2021. Singapore’s SSPIA was conducted from 4 to 14 April 2022 and was assessed to be at “Level 3” in 39 of the 44 aspects and “Level 2” for the remaining five aspects. Singapore is the first State to undergo the Phase 2 SSPIA.

Upholding Highest Standards of Aviation Safety

6     COVID-19 has increased aviation safety risks associated with flight crew proficiency, airworthiness of aircraft returned to service after prolonged inactivity and organisational focus on safety. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has made aviation safety its top priority, as it works with aviation sector companies and workers to ramp up operations to meet the surge in air travel demand. CAAS regulates and manages some 230 aircraft, 200 organisations and 15,000 professional personnel under its safety regime.

7     In March 2022, CAAS launched Singapore’s first-ever Safety Charter for the aviation sector to underscore the importance of safety leadership in fostering a strong and positive safety culture. Some 100 key organisations have signed the charter, pledging their commitment to uphold safety as a key priority and core value.

8     In April 2022, CAAS unveiled Singapore’s first National Aviation Safety Plan, setting out more than 50 initiatives that the Singapore aviation sector will embark on over the next three years to further strengthen the safety regime and ensure that flying remains safe for the travelling public. 

9     Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the CAAS said: “The ICAO safety audit and assessment are timely health checks and affirmations of Singapore’s unwavering efforts to rise above the safety-related challenges brought about by COVID-19 and uphold the highest safety standards as we reclaim and rebuild our position as a global air hub. The good results notwithstanding, we will not take safety for granted. Aviation is a complex, highly inter-connected system comprising many companies, big and small, and individual safety actors including pilots, air traffic controllers and maintenance technicians. The Singapore aviation sector must continue to prioritise and keep a close eye on safety as we ramp up manpower and operations for the year-end peak.”

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success.  CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation.