At the end of 2016, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) granted Genève Aéroport certification confirming that the organization and documentation of processes related to infrastructure safety and airport operations comply with the requirements of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
This certification applies to airports handling scheduled and charter traffic that meet specific technical criteria. Genève Aéroport was the first Swiss airport to obtain this certification, followed by Zurich, also among the first certified airports in Europe.
EASA defines standards and recommendations applicable to aerodrome processes impacting safety. These requirements ensure the continuous safety and proper functioning of airport infrastructure.
These processes are described in an aerodrome manual, the reference document of the Safety Management System (SMS), detailing how risks related to airport operations are identified, assessed, and controlled.
FOCA, in collaboration with the relevant airports, has established the general framework for aerodrome manuals and safety management systems. Based on this framework, each aerodrome defines procedures adapted to its infrastructure.
Certified aerodromes are subject to regular inspections by FOCA to ensure ongoing compliance with EASA standards.