HISTORY

WHAT IS COCESNA?

Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA) is an International Organization for Central American Integration, non-profit and public service, with legal status and financial autonomy, created on February 26, 1960 and governed by a Board of Directors, which is its highest collegiate body, which is composed of representatives of the signatory States of its Constitutive Agreement; established with well-defined objectives and purposes to respond and comply jointly in civil aviation matters to the international commitments undertaken as signatory countries of the Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944, known as the Chicago Convention.

In that order, COCESNA enjoys exclusive rights over the provision of Air Traffic, Aeronautical Telecommunications and Radio Aids services in the territories of the Member States and other services established in the regional plans entrusted to it by the Contracting Parties by virtue of an International Agreement. Its operations are based primarily on the Standards and Methods recommended by ICAO. Adherence to established standards and the pursuit of excellence are fundamental objectives of COCESNA.

Professor Lisandro Rosales Abella,

COCESNA’s first General Manager, 1960-1974

How did COCESNA come about?

As a result of the remarkable progress in aviation in the late 1950s, especially with the entry into service of jet aircraft, the need to modernize and strengthen air navigation services in the region was considered, and in November 1959, a meeting was held in Guatemala with the Directors.

At that time, it was agreed to convene a Diplomatic Conference to establish a specialized regional organization with the necessary human and financial resources to meet these modern requirements, as well as to unify and coordinate regional intergovernmental efforts and actions that would benefit the users of these services.

Therefore, from February 22 to 26, 1960, the V Conference of Directors of Civil Aeronautics was held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and the guidelines of the Central American Corporation of Air Navigation Services – COCESNA were subscribed, thus marking the beginning of its existence and operation.

Consequently, and by virtue of its nature, on February 1, 1961, its Constitutive Convention was registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and on January 2, 1962 with the United Nations (UN).

In 1963, COCESNA was officially recognized by the States of the Central American isthmus through decrees and laws ratifying its Constitutive Agreement issued by the Legislative Assemblies of each Member State.

The Central American Air Navigation Agency (ACNA), established on June 1, 2001, is one of the pillars of COCESNA. The services it provides are specialized in air navigation in the airspace of the Central American Flight Information Region (FIR), Air Traffic Management, Communications, Navigation and Surveillance, Aeronautical Telecommunications, AIM, ATM, CNS, Radio-Aids to Air Navigation and In-Flight Inspection, the Senior Manager is Engineer Roger Peréz, and offices are located in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

The Central American Aviation Safety Agency (ACSA), established in 2000, is one of the pillars of COCESNA. The services it provides are specialized in recommending, advising, guiding and facilitating the implementation of best practices in Aeronautical Operational Safety, Air Operations (OPS), Air Navigation Services (ANS), Airworthiness, Dangerous Goods, SSP/SMS, AVSEC-FAL, Regulatory and Procedures Development, PEL Licensing and Aerodromes (AGA). The Manager is Captain Alejandro Mena and the offices are located in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

The Central American Institute of Aeronautical Training (ICCAE), initially created in 1989, as the Central American School of Aeronautical Training (ECAA), with the objective of establishing an Instruction Center at regional level and oriented to satisfy the needs of internal training in the field of air navigation, according to Resolution ROCD No. 16 of the 66th Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of COCESNA. In 2001, with the reform of the Corporation’s Bylaws, ECCA became ICCAE, giving it a higher status and expanding the scope of its services to Civil Aviation Authorities and external aeronautical entities.

The services it provides are specialized as an aeronautical instruction center with the largest presence in the Central American region and with great international projection, offering quality solutions in the training and development of personnel linked to the air transportation industry. The experience accumulated in aeronautical training activities is demonstrated by the more than 3,000 events held and more than 20,000 participants trained. The Manager is Engineer Raúl Melchor and the offices are located in Ilopango, El Salvador.

ACNA: The Central American Air Navigation Agency (ACNA), established on June 1, 2001, is one of the pillars of COCESNA. The services it provides are specialized in air navigation in the airspace of the Central American Flight Information Region (FIR), Air Traffic Management, Communications, Navigation and Surveillance, Aeronautical Telecommunications, AIM, ATM, CNS, Radio-Aids to Air Navigation and In-Flight Inspection, the Senior Manager is Engineer Roger Peréz, and offices are located in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
ACSA: The Central American Aviation Safety Agency (ACSA), established in 2000, is one of the pillars of COCESNA. The services it provides are specialized in recommending, advising, guiding and facilitating the implementation of best practices in Aeronautical Operational Safety, Air Operations (OPS), Air Navigation Services (ANS), Airworthiness, Dangerous Goods, SSP/SMS, AVSEC-FAL, Regulatory and Procedures Development, PEL Licensing and Aerodromes (AGA). The Manager is Captain Alejandro Mena and the offices are located in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
ICCAE: The Central American Institute of Aeronautical Training (ICCAE), initially created in 1989, as the Central American School of Aeronautical Training (ECAA), with the objective of establishing an Instruction Center at regional level and oriented to satisfy the needs of internal training in the field of air navigation, according to Resolution ROCD No. 16 of the 66th Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of COCESNA. In 2001, with the reform of the Corporation’s Bylaws, ECCA became ICCAE, giving it a higher status and expanding the scope of its services to Civil Aviation Authorities and external aeronautical entities.

The services it provides are specialized as an aeronautical instruction center with the largest presence in the Central American region and with great international projection, offering quality solutions in the training and development of personnel linked to the air transportation industry. The experience accumulated in aeronautical training activities is demonstrated by the more than 3,000 events held and more than 20,000 participants trained. The Manager is Engineer Raúl Melchor and the offices are located in Ilopango, El Salvador.

[1] (Annex 1: Chicago Convention)