Page 19 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE AAPA

contravention of ICAO policies on taxation, The unprecedented losses of Malaysian Air Traffic Management and
AAPA lamented. Airlines MH370 and MH17 this year raise a Surveillance
Urging governments to “carefully number of important issues confronting Recent events including the
consider the overall economic effects the industry, including procedures related unprecedented loss of Malaysian Airlines
of putting further financial strain on to aircraft tracking, and governing flights MH370 have highlighted difficulties in
the travelling public and the aviation over conflict zones. tracking and locating aircraft which have
industry and to refrain from increasing Herdman commented, “As highlighted lost contact or are in distress.
the burden of aviation levies in any form, by unprecedented aircraft losses this As a result, the International Civil
the association called upon governments year, the industry always needs to remain Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has
to adhere to ICAO policies on taxation vigilant on safety. It is critical to learn from established a special ad hoc working
and ensure such recommendations these tragic events, with AAPA determined group on aircraft tracking to review the
are followed by all relevant taxation to see practical improvements in the way roles and responsibilities of governments,
authorities, as well as to avoid imposing in which intelligence about flying over airlines, air navigation service providers
unjustified or discriminatory taxes on conflict zones is shared by governments and search and rescue authorities in both
international aviation that impede mobility with airlines.” routine and non-routine aircraft tracking
and damage global tourism and trade. situations.
Most economies across the Asia- Flight Safety Information Looking ahead, ICAO has established
Pacific region continue to grow relatively Exchange the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP),
strongly, with the region’s dynamic and Airlines and air navigation service that provides guidance on further capacity
innovative airlines having seen both providers plan the most appropriate flight and capability enhancements to global air
passenger and freight traffic increase routings through international airspace, navigation, which will be progressively
significantly over the past 12 months. including operations over conflict zones. implemented over the next 15 years.
Prospects for further growth remain AAPA urged governments to improve AAPA has urged governments to
positive, with Asia already the world’s efforts in the sharing of accurate collaborate with relevant stakeholders
largest aviation market. intelligence and information related to strengthen and periodically test
“For many, a return to profitability in to flight safety on a global basis and established procedures to respond
the near future is a particular challenge, to support the development of an effectively to aircraft lost or in distress. It
which is not made any easier by the augmented distribution system for the has also asked aerospace manufacturers
current series of economic and political enhanced sharing of conflict zone risk to develop improved location and data
uncertainties prevailing around the world.” information. retrieval systems to expedite the recovery
AAPA also called on governments of flight data for accident investigations.
Tackling Major Challenges to take the necessary actions to identify
Delegates gathered for this year’s and bring to justice those accountable Need for Better Infrastructure
conference had reasons for optimism for for aggressive acts against civil aviation, Although Asia-Pacific airlines continue
the long term. More immediately, however, as well as strengthen international laws to invest heavily in the latest generation
airlines are focused on safety concerns. and conventions governing the usage of of fuel efficient aircraft to meet traffic
“Safety remains the industry’s military weapons such as surface-to-air growth demands, there is an increasing
number one priority and although overall weapons to avoid future attacks on civil concern about the need for corresponding
standards remain very high, Asia-Pacific aviation. long term investments in related
carriers are constantly striving to make AAPA was referring to the shooting aviation infrastructure, including airport
further improvements and learn from the down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over terminals, runways and air navigation
experience of any accident or incident,” rebel-held eastern Ukraine in July this services, AAPA observed.
Herdman said. year. “Governments have key roles to play
in coordinating such investments and
ensuring that the necessary regulatory
AIR ASTANA JOINS AAPA carriers,” AAPA technical director oversight of the industry keeps pace with
Kazakhstan-based Air Astana was Martin Eran-Tasker said at the growth,” he opined.
formally welcomed as the 16th full association’s 58th Assembly of
member of the Association of Asia Presidents meeting in Tokyo. Among other resolutions, AAPA also
Pacific Airlines (AAPA). AAPA DG Andrew Herdman formally urged governments and other agencies
“We are looking to approach other received Air Astana president Peter including immigration, customs and
[potential airline members] and are Foster to the association at the health departments to play a key role in
in discussions with other carriers in opening of the Assembly. all countries in facilitating the smooth
the region, especially the emerging flow of both air passengers and cargo.

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