The East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC-CASSOA) was established by the EAC Partner States as a Regional Safety Oversight Organisation (RSOO) to enhance aviation safety and security across the region. Headquartered in Entebbe, Uganda, EAC-CASSOA derives its mandate from Article 92 of the EAC Treaty. Its mission is to strengthen safety and security oversight systems in Partner States by harmonising civil aviation standards and best practices. The agency envisions becoming a model RSOO and represents all eight EAC Member States.
EAC-CASSOA is dedicated to promoting the safe, secure, and efficient development and use of civil aviation. It supports Partner States in meeting their safety and security obligations while providing a collaborative platform for implementing common measures and policies.
The agency operates under a structured three-tier RSOO framework:
1. Level I RSOO: Focuses on advisory and coordinating functions, including harmonising regulations and technical guidance materials (TGMs), offering assistance to Partner States, and facilitating the sharing of resources and personnel. This level does not involve regulatory, certification, or supervisory authority over operators.
2. Level II RSOO: Provides operational assistance, such as audits and investigations, with delegated functions but no authority to issue certificates, licences, or approvals.
3. Level III RSOO: Involves certification activities under a legislative framework, including issuing certificates, licences, and approvals. However, the ultimate responsibility for safety oversight remains with the respective states.
EAC-CASSOA’s operational activities include conducting technical missions across all audit areas, organising working groups with experts from Partner States, delivering training and workshops, managing projects, and supporting certifications for aviation operators, including airports. It also assists with the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) to improve compliance with international standards.
The organisation’s activities are primarily financed by Partner States, with supplementary funding from development partners. Key collaborators include the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its regional offices, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), other RSOOs, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), operators (airlines, airports, and air navigation service providers), and aeronautical associations such as IATA, CANSO, IFALPA, IFATCA, and IFATSEA.
Ongoing projects include:
- Automatic validation systems.
- Development of common civil aviation legislation and TGMs.
- Deployment of updated IT systems (SOFIA, ECCAIRS 2, PEXO3).
- Establishing an Accident Investigation Unit (AIG Unit).
- GASOS/RRAP Certification targeted for October 2024.
- Supporting the establishment of safety oversight systems in South Sudan and Somalia.
Looking to the future, EAC-CASSOA aims to establish a common regulatory framework, promote open skies and borders, enhance safety and security systems, adopt new aviation technologies, and increase visibility and impact. These efforts are expected to foster a safer, more secure, and interconnected aviation ecosystem in the East African region.