IATA thinks big for Asia-Pacific
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified the critical factors to ensure that Asia-Pacific continues to realise its economic and social potential in air connectivity, with continuous safety enhancement just the tip of the iceberg.
IATA recognises that, along with world-class safety standards, factors such as the availability of cost-efficient infrastructure and environmental responsibility are also integral to realising the enormous benefits of focusing on air connectivity.
Globally, some 3.3 billion passengers are expected to board flights over 2014, with this expected to grow to 7.3 billion by 2034.
In the next 20 years, the number of journeys that touch down in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to jump to 2.9 billion, with the area set to account for two-thirds of global aviation growth.
“It is no understatement to say that air connectivity underpins modern economies,” IATA’s director general and CEO Tony Tyler said in a keynote address to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Assembly of Presidents in Tokyo, Japan.
“Aviation and aviation-enabled tourism accounts for over 24 million jobs and over $500 billion in economic activity across the Asia-Pacific region. And that contribution has tremendous potential to grow.”
The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is a good example of the industry’s commitment to continuous improvements, with the global standard adopted by some 400 airlines globally.
Enhanced IOSA has turned this biennial snapshot of an airline’s operational safety practices into a continuous monitoring program, with all IATA airlines to migrate to the program by September 2015.
“Flying is safe. But, on very rare occasions, accidents do happen,” Tyler admitted.
“The two tragic accidents involving Malaysia Airlines this year area a sad reminder that safety is always a constant and ever-evolving challenge.”
Tyler also urged greater participation in IATA’s Flight Data Analysis and Flight Data Exchange programs, citing its primary role in driving advancements in safety.
An initiative of the Asia-Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Group was also endorsed, which would use IATA’s Flight Data Exchange platform to share critical safety information.
In terms of infrastructure, some $3 billion have been earmarked for improvements in air traffic capacity and management.
IATA strongly supports the Seamless Asian Sky initiative, which will enable growth through methods like ensuring inter-operability across the region and adjacent airspace.
In parallel, IATA is working closely with Chinese authorities to ease airspace congestion, along with supporting the redesign of airspace at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport that will increase capacity.
But Tyler also warned airports to be cautious when engaging private sector financing.
“To be successful it must have a strong governance structure embedded in regulation that keeps the consumer in mind when setting parameters on price and quality,” he said.
“It must set reasonable expectations on returns—in line with airports being public utilities, not hedge fund investments.”
Tyler made special reference to the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam as examples of airports experiencing challenges to meet demands with current infrastructure.
And in the spirit of keeping things green, it was noted that airlines are working towards cutting net emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2050, and achieve carbon neutral growth from 2020.
At the 2013 IATA Annual General Meeting in Cape Town, IATA members agreed to call on governments to implement a mandatory global carbon offset scheme.
“It was not an easy decision,” Tyler revealed, with discussions very much alive at both the International Civil Aviation Organization and within IATA.
“Our collective mission has to be to find the best compromise. It won’t match everyone’s needs 100%, but it most certainly will be better than leaving it to governments to develop a patchwork of solutions that will be a nightmare for all,” Tyler said.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airlines asia-pacific aviation economy future iataLatest News
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