About ICAO AELTS
About ICAO AELTS
ICAO's Aviation English Language Test Service was created as part of an initiative to improve aviation safety worldwide.
The decision to address language proficiency for pilots and air traffic controllers was first made by the 32nd Session of the Assembly in September 1998 as a direct response to fatal accidents in which the lack of proficiency in English was identified as a contributing factor. In March 2003, the ICAO Council adopted a comprehensive set of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that strengthen language proficiency requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers involved in international operations. It was further determined that pilots, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators involved in international operations should attain the ability to speak and understand English to a level 4 proficiency of ICAO’s language proficiency rating scale.
The purpose of this service is therefore to identify and formally recognize those tests of aviation English designed specifically for aviation and that meet ICAO's Language Proficiency Requirements.
ICAO does not assess or recognize tests of general English, those for another language than English or any other tests that may be used in aviation (such as for licensing). It focuses instead on assessing tests designed specifically for aviation.
ICAO remains the sole owner of the Language Proficiency Requirements and of this test service. ICAO does not represent any other organization when offering this service and remains solely responsible for developing and offering it.
Please see the FAQ for more detailed information on the service process.
The information contained herein is for general use and may change without notice, from time to time and as needed to stay current. All questions about the test service that are not addressed in the FAQ should be clarified directly with ICAO. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, ICAO takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control, or otherwise. ICAO further assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur from obtaining or failing to obtain ICAO recognition.
