Photo Credit: Ministry of Road and Transport of Mongolia
The Wicks Group (TWG), represented by Managing Director Glenn Wicks, Senior Analyst Erin Patton, and Senior Technical Consultant John Benning, recently met with His Excellency Borkhuu Delgersaikhan, Mongolia's Minister of Road and Transport, to provide an update on the ongoing Aviation Safety Standards Technical Assistance (ASSTA) Project, funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). During the meeting, TWG briefed the Minister on the progress of the ASSTA Project and discussed Mongolia's preparations for a future Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) audit. The parties exchanged views on the implementation of Mongolia's 2023 Air Transport Agreement with the United States and the steps necessary to align Mongolia's aviation safety oversight system with international standards.
Discussions focused on strengthening compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annexes 1, 6, and 8 as well as enhancing inspector capacity, modernizing aviation legislation, strengthening regulatory oversight, and ensuring sustainable government support for civil aviation safety programs. Minister Delgersaikhan reaffirmed the Government of Mongolia's commitment to achieving FAA Category 1 status and emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Mongolia Air Transport Agreement in expanding opportunities for direct air service between the two countries. Minister Delgersaikhan reaffirmed the Government of Mongolia's commitment to achieving FAA Category 1 status and emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Mongolia Air Transport Agreement in expanding opportunities for direct air service between the two countries. He noted that achieving Category 1 status would support broader national objectives by increasing trade, tourism, investment, and economic cooperation while providing greater travel options for Mongolian citizens and travelers from around the globe.
TWG emphasized the importance of maintaining compliance with international aviation safety standards through continued investment in human capital, regulatory development, inspector workforce growth, and risk-based safety oversight. The parties also reviewed the progress of activities being implemented under the USTDA-funded project and expressed their shared commitment to intensifying preparations for a successful FAA IASA assessment.
Minister Delgersaikhan concluded by noting that strengthening Mongolia's aviation safety system will not only support future direct air services to the United States but will also enhance the overall competitiveness and international standing of Mongolia's aviation sector.
Established in 1999 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., TWG has a longstanding record of providing FAA IASA technical assistance to civil aviation authorities worldwide, including those of India, Panama, Cabo Verde, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Trinidad and Tobago. To date, FAA Category 1 ratings have been awarded to ten TWG technical assistance clients. TWG also supports foreign air carriers seeking authority to operate services to the United States and assists foreign repair stations in obtaining FAA certification to provide maintenance services for U.S.-registered aircraft.
For more information about The Wicks Group, please contact Glenn Wicks at gpwicks@wicks-group.com.