ICAO Announces Global Air Progress Toward Y2K

<B> ICAO Announces Global Air Progress Toward Y2K</B>

By Barbara Cook

<I>Montreal</I> - As of Sept. 24, 156 of the 185 member nations of the International Civil Aviation Organization had provided information on the Y2K compliance status of their airspace, airports and airlines, the organization announced. ICAO members publishing reports from now on will be included in ICAO updates planned for the remainder of 1999.

The aeronautical information, based on standard Y2K assessment criteria developed by ICAO, appears in a dedicated database for use by its members in monitoring global progress toward Y2K readiness, according to the announcement. "This solid response indicates a widespread awareness of the Y2K challenge and underlines the intensity of the work being carried out by all sectors of the international civil aviation community to ensure the safety and the continuity of international civil aviation during the transition to the Year 2000," said Dr. Assad Kotaite, president of the council of ICAO.

Dr. Kotaite further indicated that ICAO has approved regional contingency plans, designed as an additional safeguard against Y2K aviation-related events. Member states are responsible for national contingency plans.

ICAO also said it is finalizing plans for a global coordinating unit to monitor the status of civil aviation and service providers during the rollover to the Year 2000. Located at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, it will be linked to regional coordinating units around the world to assist in facilitating the implementation of contingency measures, if necessary.