In July 2022, the Albania Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was at a critical crossroad. The outcome of an ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) assessment had just revealed a clear signal for change: an overall Effective Implementation (EI) score of 46%. While this number reflected longstanding structural and procedural gaps in our oversight system, it also served as a powerful catalyst. Rather than a setback, we saw it as the starting point of an ambitious, state-wide transformation in aviation safety oversight.
- Institutional restructuring and governance We introduced a more streamlined and clearly defined internal structure aligned with ICAO’s eight critical elements of safety oversight. We refined job roles, empowered our technical divisions, and strengthened our internal audit mechanisms to reinforce accountability. To maintain momentum, we established cross-functional teams tasked with tracking our progress and managing corrective action plans in real time.
- Regulatory modernization We carried out a comprehensive update of our national civil aviation legislation, with a strong focus on harmonizing our framework with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). This effort also involved transposing applicable European standards, enhancing guidance materials for operators, and streamlining our procedures for certification, licensing, and surveillance.
- People, training, and tools
The human factor was central to reform. Over 70% of CAA staff completed new training programs—many supported through ICAO Implementation Packages (iPacks) and regional partnerships. Inspectors were equipped with digital tools and standardised checklists, significantly improving the consistency and traceability of oversight activities. We implemented these pillars through a structured performance management system, with our senior leadership meeting weekly to review progress, address challenges, and ensure accountability. Throughout the process, we welcomed ICAO’s support and aligned our action plans closely with the feedback and follow-up guidance we received.
- Our overall Effective Implementation (EI) score rose from 46% to 89%
- We made substantial improvements in certification and surveillance (CE-6 and CE-7)
- We successfully implemented a risk-based oversight methodology
- We enhanced inspector training and introduced digital reporting tools
- We strengthened coordination with service providers and aviation stakeholders
While these numbers were significant, what truly stood out was the shift in our organizational culture. The ICVM team observed a more proactive approach to safety, deeper leadership engagement, and a renewed sense of purpose across our entire authority.
- Digital Oversight Platform: We are developing a fully integrated platform for certification, surveillance, and reporting. This system will enable risk-based oversight, enhance transparency, and improve our ability to analyze safety data.
- Safety Promotion Campaigns: In collaboration with operators and airports, we are investing in outreach programmes to promote a strong reporting culture and encourage proactive hazard identification.
- Ongoing ICAO Collaboration: We remain deeply committed to ICAO’s capacity-building efforts and aspire to serve as a regional training hub in selected areas of technical expertise.
Above all, we recognize that effective implementation is not a one-time milestone—it is a dynamic, ongoing process. Oversight must continually evolve alongside technological advancements, emerging risks, and the broader global aviation landscape. A call to action Our journey from a 46% to an 89% Effective Implementation score is more than just an audit success—it is a story of leadership, resilience, and our alignment with ICAO’s global vision for aviation safety. It reflects a core truth: when States take full ownership of their responsibilities, and when international frameworks like USOAP are seen as catalysts for growth rather than critiques, extraordinary progress is possible. We encourage our fellow States—especially those in the early phases of USOAP or navigating complex reform efforts—not to fear the process but to embrace it. ICAO is more than a standard-setting body—it is a true partner in implementation. The tools are there. The support is real. And as our experience shows, the results can be transformative.
ICAO’s Support for Organizational Transformation
ICAO has long supported Member States in strengthening their aviation systems, and we have built recognized expertise in organizational transformation. Recently, we applied this same expertise to our own internal reforms, giving us first-hand experience in managing complex change from the inside out. Drawing on both this track record and our transformation journey, ICAO offers management advisory and assistance services to help States and their Civil Aviation Authorities design, plan, and implement organizational transformation programmes. These services may also be extended to aviation service providers.
Every transformation begins with a thorough, tailored assessment carried out by specialized experts. This ensures a solid foundation for effective planning and implementation. By engaging ICAO as a trusted partner, organizations can benefit from a structured approach that strengthens governance, ensures compliance, and improves efficiency.
For more information, please send a message to ICAO’s Transformation Team, here.About the Author Maksim Et’hemaj is the Executive Director of the Albanian Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA), with more than three decades of distinguished experience in air traffic management, aviation regulation, and international cooperation. Since December 2021, he has led the strategic transformation of the Albanian CAA, driving the improvement of Albania’s EI score from 46% to 89% through the ICAO-CMA process, and advancing CAA of Albania recognition by NATO in airworthiness oversight. Prior to this role, Maksim served as Chief Technology Officer at Albcontrol, the Albanian Air Navigation Service Provider, where he led key modernization projects, including national airspace modernization program (NAMP), advanced radar implementation, and enhanced meteorological data visualization. His operational background includes serving as Director of Operations (ANS), ACC Watch Supervisor, ATS Inspector, and licensed ATCO from 1999 to 2021. He has also held international leadership positions, including Vice-Chair of the NewPENS Governance Group at EUROCONTROL (2018–2021), and President of the Albanian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, representing Albania in IFATCA. Maksim holds an engineering degree in chemistry, an Associate Project Management Professional qualification from George Washington University, and completed executive training in cutting-edge economics at Harvard University.