The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has highlighted three critical priorities for aviation safety and operations at the World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) in Xiamen, China. According to IATA, the three priorities are: “defending and evolving global standards, fostering a strong safety culture through leadership, and using data to enhance performance amid growing operational challenges.”
Mark Searle, Global Director Safety, IATA said: “The environment in which airlines operate has grown even more complex as conflicts and regulatory fragmentation have proliferated. As a result, we have seen airspace closures, drone incursions and rising global navigation satellite system (GNNS) interference disrupt connectivity, undermine confidence, and threaten safety. Ensuring aviation remains the safest mode of transport requires strong leadership, robust adherence to global standards, and smarter use of data. By focusing on these—industry and government together—we will build a safer, more resilient and increasingly efficient global aviation system that can manage today’s risks and is prepared for those of tomorrow.”
On Defending and Advancing Global Standards, IATA reiterates that global standards are essential to aviation safety, notes that: “Current standards must be adhered to and future standards must be developed to continuously improve industry safety performance.” IATA says currently, this focus revolves around: “Addressing GNSS Interference, Protecting Aviation’s Radio Spectrum and Timely Accident Investigation Reporting.”
On Using Data to Enhance Performance, IATA notes that data is transforming aviation safety, delivering the insights needed to anticipate risks and enhance performance. The association says: “Through the Global Aviation Data Management (GADM) program, which integrates the Flight Data eXchange (FDX), Incident Data eXchange (IDX), and Maintenance Cost Data eXchange (MCX), IATA is enabling data-driven decision-making across airlines and regulators.”
IATA notes that the following areas are where data has been making a difference: “Turbulence Aware, Predictive safety insights, Risk-based IOSA.”
On Fostering a Strong Safety Culture Through Leadership, IATA notes that “leadership is central to a strong aviation safety culture. Strong safety leadership creates an environment where employees are empowered to raise concerns and are confident that issues will be resolved quickly and effectively.”
To reinforce this, IATA says it has developed two key initiatives: “Safety Leadership Charter and IATA Connect: Bringing together 5,600 users from over 600 organizations, IATA Connect enables access to IOSA documentation, the Safety Issue Hub, and Safety Connect, and will soon expand to include ISAGO users.