The Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services Agency (SMATSA) is modernising with the assistance of the European Commission and EUROCONTROL as part of the Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) programme.

After having changed its status on 29 December 2003, SMATSA operates as a limited liability company.

SMATSA is taking part in the ASATC Phase II programme as the ANS provider of one of the five CARDS participating countries. According to its Director General, Nikola Stankov, this programme has provided numerous benefits to the Agency. The national assesment that EUROCONTROL carried out provided CARDS countries to have official documents describing the level of ATM services.

This means that Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) and ANSPs in the region have opportunity to modernize in efficient co-ordinated manner focused on the weaker areas identified by Eurocontrol. The strengthening of the region`s CAAs, which will result in improved safety regulation and supervision. ANSPs in the area facing traffic growth that has been increasing by rate of 20% per annum for the past two year`s and have to prepare in safe and efficient way for the growth exceeding current traffic forecasts.

SMATSA is already actively participating a several ASATC Working Packages covering Safety Regulation and Safety Management System, Human Resources Development and Development of Strategic Business Plan.

Safety is the imperative in aviation. It has the highest priority over commercial, operational, environmental or social pressures. For that reason safety is of the major concern to the aviation community, to govornments and to the public. In SMATSA the systematic approach starts at the very top of the organization and continues down to every level of organizational structure. Everyone has individual responsibility for his/her own action. This enabled the total reorganisation of the SMATSA from a vertical to horizontal structure and establishment of four new departments: Safety and Security, Quality, Statistical and analitical and IT. Some procedures SMATSA has already applied, and this programme and these WPs are giving opportunity to reassess proper documentation. This enables proactive prevention philosophy.

EUROCONTROL and CARDS experts supported the development of the new departments providing tools and guidelines. SMATSA now expects to customise the programme to its own individual requirements as they differ from those of its neighbours. For example, Human Resources Department needs practical help and training for selection process of new employees – especially air traffic controllers.

SMATSA has used EUROCONTROL techniques and guidelines to incorporate all of its modernization plans (MASTER plan, LCIP, financial and investment plans) into a single strategic business plan document which clearly states the company`s vision, mission and strategic objectives.

SMATSA started wide modernization project, which along with implementation of new systems and facilities, includes the construction of a new ACC building. The whole project is cofunded by SMATSA, EBRD and EIB. Procurement of goods and services will be through international tenders to assure that the best expertise will be represented.