Air Traffic Services (ATS) Quality Assurance is a dynamic process used to continually improve an Air Traffic Control system. The quality of the service is measured against such data as incidents, delays, employee and customer feedback. In addition there are intangible factors such as the willingness to function as a team, training and the actions taken to achieve the objective of zero ATS incidents.

Due to the heightened awareness of air traffic service incidents and its relation to aviation safety, the Civil Aviation Authority established a Quality Assurance programme in 1997. The goal of the program is to maintain an ATS incident-free environment that delivers safe, orderly, and expeditious air traffic control service to the users of the system. A Quality Assurance Manual summarises the responsibility of every individual within the air traffic services operational environment.

The Quality Assurance Programme focuses on identification and correction of deficiencies before they result in ATS incidents or accidents and works towards the continuous improvement of the ATS product. Proactive quality assurance strategies are an integral part of the programme and are implemented as Rules and Procedures for the appropriate situation or occurrence. The Civil Aviation Authority has also established Incident Investigation Panels and appointed a preliminary Investigation Officer in a bid to prevent ATS incidents and work towards improving the quality of Air Traffic Services within the Kingston Flight Information Region.

This initiative complements the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices as well as the Civil Aviation Authority's Regulations. Read more here