Paving the way: enhancing airport infrastructure in Small Island States

When all flights to and from Tuvalu island were cancelled indefinitely in December 2023 – due to damage to the airport’s runway caused by water infiltration that was exacerbated by heavy rain, tidal and sea level impacts – travellers were stranded and the country became disconnected from global commerce and transport.

This example highlights the importance of the recent ICAO Aerodrome Pavement Workshop that was delivered by our Asia-Pacific Regional Office, with the support of the United States Federal Aviation Administration.

Taking place in Bangkok from 7-9 Feb 2024, the workshop assisted States in the implementation of the ICAO Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR) Procedure of Reporting Airport Pavement Strength, as introduced by ICAO in Annex 14, Volume I, with the applicability date of 28 Nov 2024. Guidance for implementing this requirement is provided in the ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual, Part 3 – Pavements.

Forty-three participants from 17 States attended the workshop, including Tuvalu, which was represented by Mr. Tetika Touaiti of Tuvalu’s Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure, Environment, Labour, Meteorology and Disaster. Other Pacific Islands participants included the Solomon Islands and Fiji.

Our regional office staff were delighted to welcome Tuvalu as it was the first time the State attended an ICAO Asia-Pacific Regional Office activity in Bangkok since it became ICAO’s 192nd Member State, following its official adherence to the Chicago Convention on 18 Nov 2017.