Guidance Material

QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar

Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 1 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

Guidance Material
Submission of Airline Operator Security Programme
and Local Station Instructions for Qatar Operations

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 2 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

Table of Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3
State of Qatar Legislative Requirements ........................................................................................ 3
AOSP format ................................................................................................................................... 5
Local Station Instructions ............................................................................................................... 5
AOSP model outline ....................................................................................................................... 6
Modification to Operational Particulars Affecting Security ........................................................... 6
QCAA Secure Website ................................................................................................................... 6
Local Station Instructions Template ............................................................................................... 7
Local Station Instruction Content ................................................................................................... 7

Part 1 – Operational Specifics ................................................................................................................... 7

Part 2 – Qatar Specific Requirements ....................................................................................................... 7
Part 3 – Airline Specific Aviation Security Information for Qatar Operations .......................................... 8

APPENDIX 1 .................................................................................................................................. 9

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 3 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

Introduction

This guidance material has been developed by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA)
Security and Facilitation Department to assist Foreign Carriers in preparing, submitting, and
maintaining their Airline Operator Security Programme (AOSP) and Local Station Instructions
(LSI) for operations to Qatar.

The QCAA will initially supply all foreign carriers with four documents to assist in developing
and submitting an AOSP and LSI for QCAA acceptance. A description of each document is
outlined below:

1. Guidance Material - Submission of Airline Operator Security Programme and

Local Station Instructions for Qatar operations (PDF): Guidance for foreign carriers
on how to submit and AOSP/LSI for Qatar operations. This document is also contained
within the Qatar National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) as an appendix

2. Instructions – QCAA Secure Website Registration (PDF): Instructions on how to

register for the QCAA secure website. The website contains relevant security
documentation, specific to Qatar that all foreign carriers should familiarize themselves
with.

3. LSI Template – Qatar Operations (Word doc): LSI template for foreign carriers to
develop their LSI

4. Foreign Carrier Directory (Excel): This template is supplied for foreign carriers to list
all relevant contact details for submission to the QCAA

The QCAA will provide further documentation and or assistance to foreign carriers when
required.

State of Qatar Legislative Requirements

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) is the designated “Appropriate Authority” for Qatar
by virtue of Article 4 of Law # 15 of 2002 (As Amended) and is responsible for developing and
maintaining the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) of Qatar. The Qatar

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 4 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

NCASP is given legal force by virtue of its promulgation into Law through Article 11 bis of Law
15 of 2002 (As Amended).

The NCASP and the legislation that empowers it, provide the President of the QCAA with the
authority to require foreign aircraft operators to submit for acceptance a written AOSP and
LSI. The AOSP, supported by the LSI, shall specify the practices and procedures to be followed
by the operator to protect passengers, crew members, ground personnel, aircraft and facilities
from acts of unlawful interference.

Regulation 5 of the Civil Aviation Security Regulations, 2019 requires all Qatar and foreign
registered air carriers to submit to the QCAA for approval or acceptance, a proposed AOSP
before they are permitted to operate within the State of Qatar (and internationally for Qatar
registered carriers). The AOSP must meet the requirements of the Regulations and must be
submitted to the QCAA at least sixty (60) days before the intended date of operations.

Section 4.6 of the Qatar NCASP requires foreign air operators providing international services
from Hamad International Airport to submit a written copy of the operator’s Aircraft Operator
Security Programme and Local Station Instructions to the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority
(QCAA) for acceptance.

Regulation 7 of the Civil Aviation Security Regulations, 2019 requires foreign air carriers to
immediately notify the QCAA should there be any material change in the accepted Security
Programme, LSI or operations that could impact on the standard of security applied. Within
thirty days of the notification, an amended AOSP and LSI must be submitted to the QCAA for
re-acceptance

Any person who contravenes any of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and may be
liable.

The submission of an AOSP and Local Station Instructions does not satisfy all State of Qatar air
services and other QCAA requirements. Airlines need to ensure all other pertinent approvals are
sought before operating to Qatar. The QCAA Security and Facilitation Department solely
handles matters of aviation security. Please refer to the QCAA website – www.caa.gov.qa for
further details.

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 5 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

AOSP format

The QCAA accept two types of AOSP format:

• An AOSP approved by the Airline’s relevant Appropriate Authority from their home
state accompanied by the LSI. The LSI may be a stand-alone document, or form part of
the AOSP as an Annex or Chapter, or

• An AOSP approved by the Airline’s relevant Appropriate Authority from their home
State which incorporates the LSI captured in the main body of the AOSP

Local Station Instructions

Qatar’s aviation security framework may differ from that required and implemented by other
States. The LSI acts as the airline’s key repository of Qatar specific aviation security measures
and operational factors. The LSI incorporates key operational information specific to Qatar
operations. If the airline’s home state AOSP or aviation security requirements are not equivalent
to those mandated in Qatar, suitable compensatory measures should be defined in the LSI.
Furthermore, if the airline applies additional security measures for their Qatar operations, over
and above what is required by Qatar, then these should also be clearly described in the LSI.

It is critical that the content of both the AOSP and LSI accurately reflect the airline’s actual
operations in Qatar. The airline will be subjected to AVSEC compliance oversight in Qatar
based on the AVSEC procedures and requirements detailed in the respective AOSP and
LSI.

It is a fundamental requirement that the airline AOSP and LSI adequately describe the airline’s
specific operations to and from Qatar. The QCAA are unable to accept generic documentation
which does not address the airline’s specific operating circumstances in the State of Qatar.
Additionally, the QCAA cannot accept an ASOP that solely describes the Airline’s operations
and associated legislation in their state of registry.

Further guidance regarding required LSI content is detailed in Parts 8 and 9.

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 6 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

AOSP model outline

Appendix C of the NCASP describes the manner and format which Qatar registered and foreign
carrier AOSP’s shall be produced. This content can be accessed via the secure website.

Modification to Operational Particulars Affecting Security

The measures detailed in the AOSP and LSI must reflect the actual operational practices
employed by the airline in Qatar. It is an airline responsibility to ensure the AOSP and LSI
remain current, and the QCAA are provided with up-to-date contact details (a separate contact
details template will be provided by the QCAA). This is a requirement of Regulation 7 of the
Civil Aviation Security Regulations, 2019 and will help avoid any potential findings of non-
compliance during QCAA compliance activities.

QCAA Secure Website

The QCAA Security and Facilitation Department has established a secure website containing
information regarding the State of Qatar’s aviation security requirements. The website, available
in Arabic and English, has been developed to aid stakeholders in developing and maintaining
their AOSP and LSI and assist airlines in complying with Qatar aviation security requirements.

To request access to the website, please apply to the QCAA Security and Facilitation Department
in writing. Applications should be from a senior member of the airline’s Security Department
(or equivalent) and sent via email from an official company registered email account (e.g.
@qatarairways.com). Applications should be addressed to the following:

Ian Gilchrist, Senior Aviation Security Consultant, avsec@caa.gov.qa

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 7 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

Local Station Instructions Template

A Local Station Instructions template has been prepared to assist foreign carriers in developing,
submitting, and maintaining their LSI for Qatar operations. This template should be used by all
foreign carriers wishing to submit an LSI for Qatar operations. No other LSI format will be
accepted.

The template incorporates a mix of mandatory information along with a free-text section (for the
airline to specifically explain security procedures for the Qatar operation). All drop down
menus and text boxes in orange highlight must be completed. All sections of the LSI
template should be adequately completed to ensure the LSI can be accepted.

Local Station Instruction Content

Approval Page

The LSI must be signed and approved by an authorized airline representative via the approval
page. This would normally be the airline’s Head of Security (or equivalent).

Part 1 – Operational Specifics

Includes mandatory operational information for the Qatar operation. Full airline contact details
must also be provided to the QCAA (these details are contained in a separate document – the
template will be supplied by the QCAA)

Part 2 – Qatar Specific Requirements

Includes specific aviation security measures and procedures relevant to the State of Qatar

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 8 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

Part 3 – Airline Specific Aviation Security Information for Qatar Operations

Part 3 is a free-text section, specific to each individual airline. Each item must be addressed with
enough detail, ensuring all applicable components of the airline’s aviation security policy and
procedures are defined and covered. Key information may be copied from the airline’s AOSP –
however the details must be relevant for the Qatar operation.

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations

 Guidance Material
QCAA Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar
Operations
Edition: 06
Revision: 03 Page 9 of 9
Date: 01 February 2021

APPENDIX 1

Submission Checklist and Process Flow

No. Item ☐
1 Establish contact with the QCAA Security and Facilitation Department via email at ☐
avsec@caa.gov.qa and advise your intention to submit an AOSP and Local Station
Instructions (LSI)
2 Apply for access to the QCAA’s secure website ☐
3 Carefully read all the information and legislative requirements contained on the ☐
website including:

This checklist
Guidance material – Submission of AOSP and LSI
Local Station Instructions template
The State of Qatar NCASP
AOSP Model Outline (NCASP Appendix C)

4 Complete the Local Station Instructions template ☐

5 Ensure the AOSP and LSI meet State of Qatar requirements. Once ready for ☐
submission, send them electronically to avsec@caa.gov.qa. Alternatively, they can
be delivered to the QCAA office on a thumb drive or CD.
6 The QCAA are unable to accept hardcopy versions of the AOSP and LSI. If any of ☐
the documents are password protected, please supply the password in a separate
email
7 After submission, you will receive a response from confirming receipt. Your ☐
AOSP and LSI will then be allocated to a team member for assessment
8 Once the QCAA assessment phase is complete, a team member will contact you ☐
and either confirm that the AOSP and LSI meet State of Qatar requirements and can
be accepted, or request additional information or alternations to be made
9 If the AOSP and LSI are accepted, you will receive notification from the QCAA ☐
10 If the AOSP and LSI are not initially accepted by the QCAA, you will be advised to ☐
supply additional information or make alternations before the QCAA can accept
them. This may be because the existing AOSP and LSI are not yet compliant with
Qatar requirements, or require additional information so the QCAA can make an
assessment. To avoid delays, please make the changes and resubmit to the QCAA
promptly.

Guidance Material – Submission of AOSP and LSI for Qatar Operations