The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has officially launched its new conflict zone risk information repository, which will allow governments, organisations and the general public to review potential hazards that may exist over conflict zones. The prototype repository was launched on the 10th of April 2015 and was established in response to Member-State recommendations from ICAO’s High-level Safety Conference, which was held in February 2015. The repository can be accessed via ICAO’s website and allows users to access up-to-date information on risks to civil aviation in regions of armed conflict.

Uruguayan-based airline, BQB Lineas Aereas, had officially suspended operations on the 11th of April 2015, after the airline cited that it had insufficient funds to maintain operations. However, shortly after suspending operations, the airline reported that it had signed an acquisition agreement with Bolivian-based airline, Línea Aérea Amaszonas. As a result of this agreement, BQB Lineas Aereas will be wholly acquired by Amaszonas, which will then use the airline to expand its South American operations. While it could not be immediately verified, initial reports indicate that BQB will eventually be entirely amalgamated into the Amaszonas mainline operation.

ICAO has reportedly raised ‘Significant Safety Concerns’ (SSC’s) during a recent audit of Thailand’s civil aviation regulator, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA). The audit was undertaken as a part of ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), which reviews the standards of the civil aviation regulators of member states to ensure that they adhere to internationally recognised standards of oversight. The DCA of Thailand now has a 90 day period in which to rectify the SSC’s, after which time ICAO will make public its findings.