IATA demands govts care more about aviation

Governments have been pinned as the key partners in global aviation, with IATA calling for an even deeper relationship.

The International Air Transport Industry has advocated for governments to work more closely with the aviation industry, particularly with regards to areas of safety, infrastructure, security, regulation, and environment.

“Aviation is built on partnerships and the relationship with governments is key,” IATA’s director general and ceo Tony Tyler said, speaking at the 71st IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Miami.

“Airlines and governments are well-aligned on safety. But in other areas of government responsibility—infrastructure, security, regulation, and environment—there are opportunities for a deeper partnership.”

This year some 3.5 billion people and 55 million tonnes of cargo will travel by air over a global network of 51,000 routes.

Airlines hold the role as catalysts of economic growth, evident as some $6 trillion of goods find their way to global markets via air transport.

“For nations, connectivity is much more than a competitive advantage,” Tyler added.

“It is an economic necessity. And aviation’s intangible benefits make it a force for good in the world. So there is a tremendous common interest with governments to support safe, efficient, and sustainable global connectivity that only air transport can provide.”
In terms of safety, disasters like MH370 and MH17 have resulted in a 15-minute position reporting standard being developed, while governments work together to share security information more effectively.

It is a tragic paradox that in 2014 aviation recorded its safest year ever, yet it remained constantly in recent world headlines over safety issues.

The findings of the full investigation on the Germanwings 9525 tragedy will see “regulators and industry looking at the balance needed to monitor the mental health of crew in an environment aligned with the non-punitive Just Culture that drives safety forward,” according to Tyler.

“We have a common interest in keeping our passengers, crew, and cargo secure with efficient and respectful processes built around global standards,” Tyler added.

“While there has been tremendous progress over the last few years, our customers still see security and border controls as big pain points in their journeys. We must join forces to encourage governments to align on a risk-based approach, adopt global best practices, recognise equivalent measures by other governments, stop wasteful and paper-based processes, and make full use of available technology.”

In terms of security, three key areas were identified as urgent priorities for governments:

Known traveller programs: Linking these programs across borders.
Advance Passenger Information: Coordinating requirements around ICAO standards and aligning processes to eliminate redundant paper documentation and reduce queuing times.
Cargo security: Driving efficiency through harmonised processes facilitated by global standards created through cooperation between IATA, ICAO and the World Customs Organization.

The major issues of infrastructure, aviation can only deliver its social and economic benefits if it has adequate, cost-efficient infrastructure capacity to meet growing demand, according to Tyler.

“Transparency and consultation will ensure that what is built matches business needs at a price that is affordable and mutually beneficial,” he said.

Tyler noted in his report several critical infrastructure challenges where more alignment is needed, including finding a solution to expand airport capacity in the Southeast of the UK, addressing the high cost of fuel in Brazil and Africa, keeping costs at Hong Kong International Airport competitive as it funds construction of a third runway, and improving efficiency in Chinese air traffic management.

Consumer protection was another area of interest for IATA, with Tyler saying that it’s essential to recognise the importance of travellers in all developments and changes.

“Governments appear to be losing faith in a basic principle of commerce—that businesses become successful by pleasing customers,” he said.

“Many regulators are adopting passenger rights regimes—some of which come close to dictating product design and marketing. Worse, there is no international coordination. When things go wrong, passenger need clarity, not confusion. IATA urges governments to align consumer protection initiatives with principles being developed through ICAO.”

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iata international air transport industry tony tyler world air transport summit