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     About Aviation Investigation Bureau

 The Aviation Investigation Bureau "AIB" of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an independent governmental entity under the direct supervision of Chairman for Board of Directors of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).  The idea was initially came as a result of Board of Directors' Resolution No. 76-6 dated 05/11/1431H – 22/12/2009 and later was effective due to resolution number T-160 dated 29/05/1433H – 28/03/2012G.
The AIB is financially, administratively and operationally independent from the Regulator (GACA) and the industry as a whole. 

The AIB extensively cooperates with the Regulator and the industry on issues relating to aviation safety and promoting its awareness. It also cooperates with international agencies and other States' investigation authorities under the agreements and memorandums of understandings to which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is signatory to, in the interest of improving aviation safety.

The Aviation Investigation Bureau of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (AIB) does not apportion blame, nor provide the means to determine liability in aviation incidents or accidents, in compliance to ICAO Convention, Chicago 1944; annex 13.

In discharging its functions of improving aviation safety, the Aviation Investigation Bureau of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia "AIB" always ensures the following:-

• Conducts impartial investigations.
• Allots its resources in a manner where the greatest benefit to aviation safety improvements may materialize.
• Make safety recommendations based on systematic processes.
• Ensures safety recommendations are followed up.
• Utilizes expertise and information from its in-house capabilities, as well as, from safety experts from the aviation industry.
• Ensures that its capabilities are developed and shared to fulfill its mission.

AIB's Vision:

To be recognized as an international leader in advancing global aviation safety.

AIB's Mission:

• Advance aviation safety through independent occurrence investigations and safety studies.
• Promote an effective and comprehensive safety reporting system.
• Communicate risks and safety recommendations.

AIB's Values:

• Respect: Fostering an environment that allows staff to contribute, innovate and excel in all aspects.
• Integrity and impartiality: In all activities.
• Competence: Continual professional and technical development.
• Transparency: Exchange information to enhance aviation safety.

AIB is looking forward – in the foreseeable future – to seeing itself successful by undertaking its role in aviation investigations as a result of any accident or incident involving civil aircrafts within the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi aircrafts or aircrafts operated by Saudi nationals over the high seas or territories not owned by any country in accordance with conditions and controls set forth in the investigation regulations that governs aviation occurrence investigations which is mentioned in ICAO's Annex 13 "Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations" and Annex 19 "Safety Management", which were promulgated based on the authority granted in Article 179 of the Civil Aviation Act that has been approved by the Council of Ministers Resolution number 185 dated 17/07/1426H – 22/08/2005G.

AIB has four major departments as follows:

• Investigations.
• Safety Analysis.
• Financial & Admin Affairs.
  
• Engineering Lab.

On November 04, 2013 (01-01-1435h) regulations establishing the Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was into full effect. On   this date, the AIB assumes sole authority for the conduct of aviation incidents and accidents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The AIB is located in the northern side of King Abdulaziz International Airport "KAIA" in Jeddah, and facilitated with state-of-the-art aviation investigative equipment. The AIB   performs its functions around the clock, receiving all kinds of notifications for various occurrences and taking actions.

AIB Formulation Challenges:

Getting the right people on board in any startup, including a governmental agency, is a very important and difficult task.  Not only by doing efficiently what they know, but they also have to know how to build it right.  In addition to investigating occurrences, AIB teams are being put together and would be responsible for building a system, policies, procedures and processes.  This is what AIB was tasked to do from day one.