ICAO begins civil aviation inspection in North Macedonia after 17 years

A team from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) arrived in North Macedonia yesterday for its first inspection after a 17-year hiatus. Over the next two weeks, inspectors will assess whether the country’s civil aviation system meets the latest international standards and regulations.

According to the Civil Aviation Agency, the inspection is taking place at its invitation. It aims to provide an independent assessment of compliance with international requirements, identify the system’s strengths and uncover any shortcomings, as well as areas requiring improvement.

The agency’s director, Dragi Stojanoski, describes a willingness to undergo independent and impartial scrutiny as an important part of responsible management and building a reliable aviation system.

Stojanoski says such an inspection is the best way to understand how well the agency is doing its job and what it can improve. He stresses that if problems are found, there is an obligation to address the findings openly and professionally. According to him, only an objective assessment of the actual situation can lead to appropriate and lasting solutions for improving the system.

The agency is calling for professional cooperation, transparency and active participation from all parties involved during the inspection. It says this will help provide an accurate picture of how the system functions and identify concrete steps to strengthen it.

The recommendations resulting from the inspection will be used to plan future activities and improve processes, with the aim of further increasing civil aviation safety.