UN body tapped to craft airport’s standards

CLARK FREE PORT, Philippines — The country has tapped the services of a United Nations group to draft the technical and operational standards of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport inside a free port zone. The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) said experts from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) based in Montreal, Canada would draft safety standards on the height restrictions of buildings and other permanent structures inside the zone in Angeles City, Pampanga. Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said he has directed the Air Transportation Office (ATO) to formally invite the ICAO experts over in June to conduct a briefing on international safety standards. In a meeting with CDC officials, Mr. Mendoza has also asked ATO Executive Director Daniel Dimagiba to also conduct a "risk analysis and due diligence" on Clark investors whose structures may affect the enforcement of aviation safety standards. ICAO has the mandate to modernize and enforce standards and recommended practices or so-called SARPs. SARPs cover all technical and operational aspects of international civil aviation such as safety, personnel licensing, operation of aircraft, aerodromes, air traffic services, accident investigation and the environment. - BusinessWorld