IATA backs MAS as compliant

IATA backs MAS as compliant
By admin


IATA director general Tony Tyler said Malaysia Airlines complied with the guidance of the Governments and air navigation service providers’ restrictions on the route MH17 was on when it was shot down over the Ukraine last week.

A statement released by IATA yesterday said “Malaysia Airlines was a clearly identified commercial jet. And it was shot down—in complete violation of international laws, standards and conventions—while broadcasting its identity and presence on an open and busy air corridor at an altitude that was deemed to be safe.”

Tyler described the tragedy of MH17 as an “outrage” and that all passengers and crew aboard the aircraft were the victims of a hideous crime.

“It was also an attack against the air transport system which is an instrument of peace,” Tyler added.

While securing the crash site and returning the bodies of the victims to their grieving loved ones in a respectful manner is an immediate priority, Tyler added that no effort should be spared in ensuing that this outrage is not repeated.

Tyler pointed out that while nobody should be shooting missiles at civilian aircraft—governments or separatists, governments will need to take the lead in reviewing how airspace risk assessments are made.

“The industry will do all that it can to support governments, through ICAO, in the difficult work that lies ahead. This was a terrible crime. But flying remains safe. And everyone involved in global air transport is fully dedicated to making it even safer,” Tyler concluded.

In favour of ensuring air safety, both Qantas and Virgin have said they are willing to take part in an international meeting to discuss the MH17 crash and to potentially rethink protocols when dealing with global troubled hot spots.

The Australian airlines have been in contact with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regarding the meeting after it was suggested by Emirates president Tim Clark, who also predicted local regulators might get more involved in decisions about where airlines flew.

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