The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) European and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) Regional Office and the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) of the Republic of Cyprus joined forces to conduct a vital Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop and Exercise (SAREX) in Larnaca, Cyprus. This significant event, held at the JRCC premises from October 5th to 6th, 2023, followed the Twelfth meeting of the EUR Search and Rescue Task Force (EUR SAR TF/12) on October 4th, 2023.
Bringing together 95 participants from 35 States, 5 international and European organizations, and 2 airlines, the three-day SAR event underscored the commitment to enhancing aviation safety and emergency response across the European region.
The workshop commenced with opening addresses from JRCC Commander Andreas Charalambides and Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works of Cyprus, highlighting the national importance of SAR operations. Mr. Elkhan Nahmadov, ICAO EUR/NAT Deputy Regional Director, further emphasized ICAO’s global perspective and priorities for advancing SAR capabilities during his opening speech. Participants and speakers alike conveyed their gratitude to both Cyprus and ICAO for hosting this crucial regional forum.
The core objective of the workshop was to foster greater understanding of current SAR activities, facilitate the sharing of best practices, and address key implementation challenges within the region. Discussions centered on the rollout of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) and the critical aspects of SAR oversight. A full-scale SAR exercise on October 6th provided a practical platform to test and refine the SAR procedures of the Republic of Cyprus. Workshop attendees had the opportunity to observe firsthand the operational readiness of SAR services, the activation of aerodrome emergency plans, and the procedures for assisting aircraft accident victims and their families.
The EUR SAR TF, under the chairmanship of Mr. Nikola Sarancic (Serbia), convened to evaluate the current state of SAR provision implementation within the EUR region. The Task Force facilitated experience sharing and strategic discussions on future directions, particularly focusing on the urgent implementation of ICAO standards concerning the location of aircraft in distress. The outcomes and recommendations from the EUR SAR TF activities will be presented at the upcoming EASPG/5 meeting scheduled for November 29th to December 1st, 2023.
