Air traffic management in limelight

   In recent years, the International Civil Aviation Organization has formalized partnerships with safety and aviation organizations in Europe and the United States. 
   On Tuesday, ICAO officials signed a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands-based Civil Air Navigation Services Organization which is meant to improve air traffic management around the world.
   ICAO and CANSO plan to create a shared databank that will include safety information from entities worldwide. Officials from the organizations signed the agreement while in Spain at the World Air Traffic Management Congress.
   According to an ICAO release, the agreement will foster communication and information exchange between the organizations. The two bodies can also more easily pursue joint training programs and coordinate their efforts when trying to influence air navigation policy. 
   “The establishment of this framework is an important step in helping CANSO and ICAO achieve the highest levels of aviation safety worldwide,” ICAO’s Roberto Kobeh González said in a statement. “This priority knows no borders, and these types of collaborative data sharing and risk mitigation efforts are essential to helping states and industry proactively identify and address safety threats before they lead to a serious incident or accident.”
   The two organizations have cooperated in recent years in the area of runway safety, among other issues. 
   “CANSO and ICAO are committed to improving aviation’s already noteworthy safety performance levels by working together and sharing more of our data and expertise,” CANSO’s Jeff Poole said. “This new MOC reflects CANSO’s recognition that ICAO will be a key partner moving forward. It is also a very concrete example of CANSO’s partnership approach in action and our determination to deliver real value through the improvement and transformation of global air traffic management performance.”
   The International Air Transport Association is also focusing on air traffic management while in Spain. Recently, organization head Tony Tyler stressed the need to improve air traffic management worldwide by prioritizing safety, efficiency and environmental benefits. He also said there needs to be global harmonization of management standards, proper utilization of management investment and, most of all, cost effectiveness.
   Tyler noted that the same drive and determination given to the aviation industry’s progress on safety should be applied to air traffic management and Europe’s management platform, the single European sky.
   “It is time for action on air traffic management performance,” Tyler said during the Congress. “Making airspace more efficient and cutting costs will provide a big boost to the ability of airlines to connect more markets. So we need to roll up our sleeves, work together as partners, and build a stronger air traffic management system.” – Jon Ross