Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) has decided to set up an independent body to investigate air accidents, Arab News has reported.
The new investigation body will be financially and administratively independent and be based in Jeddah.
“The new entity will be responsible for investigating plane crashes and other related accidents in general and will enjoy total freedom. The statutes for the new body and its functions, which are on par with international regulations on air accidents, are in place,” said Capt. Ibrahim Al-Kesshi, director general of the Aircraft Investigation Office.
He added that the preparations are now under way to man the office with technical hands and provide the necessary wherewithal to conduct investigations. He said the Kingdom will also attend for the first time the 23rd periodic meeting in Singapore under the supervision of the International Civil Aviation Organization which regulates activities of the air navigation between countries, border crossing operations and regulations governing air accidents. Other participants at the meeting include the United States, France and Britain.
