
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has spotlighted three essential priorities for aviation safety and operations at the World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) held in Xiamen, China.
“The environment where airlines operate has become increasingly complex due to conflicts and regulatory fragmentation. Consequently, we have observed airspace closures, drone incursions, and an increase in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interference that disrupts connectivity, undermines confidence, and poses safety threats. To maintain aviation as the safest transport mode, strong leadership, adherence to global standards, and smarter data utilization are crucial. By focusing on these areas—together as an industry and government—we can establish a safer, more resilient, and efficient global aviation framework that manages current risks and prepares for future challenges,” stated Mark Searle, Global Director Safety, IATA.
Defending and Advancing Global Standards
Global standards are the cornerstone of aviation safety, necessitating both adherence to existing standards and the development of new ones to consistently improve safety performance. Currently, the focus remains on:
- Addressing GNSS Interference: Reports of GNSS interference have surged over 200% between 2021 and 2024. Neither spoofing nor jamming is acceptable, prompting IATA and EASA to initiate a GNSS Resilience Plan with four key priorities: monitoring and reporting, prevention tools, backup infrastructure, and civil-military coordination.
- Protecting Aviation’s Radio Spectrum: The radio spectrum vital for aviation navigation must be safeguarded against 5G and soon 6G expansions that pressure aviation allocations, particularly in markets like Australia, Canada, and the U.S.
- Timely Accident Investigation Reporting: Global standards necessitate timely accident investigations, yet only 58% of accidents from 2019 to 2023 have led to final reports, underscoring the need for more prompt reporting.
Using Data to Enhance Performance
Data is revolutionizing aviation safety, providing insights essential for risk anticipation and performance enhancement. Through the Global Aviation Data Management (GADM) program, which encompasses the Flight Data eXchange (FDX), Incident Data eXchange (IDX), and Maintenance Cost Data eXchange (MCX), IATA is facilitating data-driven decision-making across airlines and regulators. Highlights include:
- Turbulence Aware: The Turbulence Aware platform enables real-time data sharing, allowing pilots to mitigate turbulence risks effectively.
- Predictive Safety Insights: The SafetyIS database utilizes in-flight data from 217 airlines for predictive analysis, enhancing safety measures.
Fostering a Strong Safety Culture Through Leadership
Leadership is fundamental to cultivating a robust aviation safety culture. Effective leadership encourages employees to voice concerns confidently. IATA has launched two significant initiatives: the Safety Leadership Charter and IATA Connect to promote safety leadership principles.
For more information, visit IATA official site.