The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) have agreed to improve aviation safety throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The expanded pact adds specific points to IATA’s existing cooperation partnership with the IAC including:
- Promotion of IATA Operational Safety Audits (IOSA), IATA’s Integrated-Airline Management System (IAMS), IATA Safety Audits for Ground Operations (ISAGO) by IAC.
- Development and enhancement of civil aviation infrastructure in the states united by IAC, including implementation of the ICAO standard for Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) and Performance-Based Navigation.
The agreement was signed in Moscow by Tatiana Anodina, chairperson of the IAC and Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO. “I look forward to working closely with the IAC to help raise the bar on safety in this region by promoting IOSA and other IATA global standards,” said Bisignani.
Bisignani was visiting Russia to mark a new phase in IATA’s involvement in Russian aviation. He met with Russia’s Minister of Transport, Igor Levitin, to discuss a work plan with the Russian Ministry of Transport focused on the following areas:
- Improved safety: IATA is encouraging the Russian government to make IOSA a requirement for all airlines registered in Russia. Despite already having eight carriers on the IOSA registry, Russia’s safety record is well below international standards with one accident for every 155,000 flights on western built aircraft. This is far worse than the global average of 1 accident for every 1.2 million flights.”This must improve We are discussing with the Ministry to move beyond support and make IOSA mandatory for all Russian carriers. We are encouraged by the Ministers response and hope to see progress in the near future,” said the head of IATA.
- Infrastructure charges: Russia has an international obligation to ensure non-discrimination for infrastructure charges. “The current differential system of charges is illegal and must change,” said Bisignani.
- Bringing infrastructure charges in line with global standards: Russia has an international obligation to ensure non-discrimination for infrastructure charges. “The current discriminatory system of charges does not comply with international standards and must change,” said Bisignani.
- Bringing transparency to fuel pricing: In September 2008 the cost of fuel at Moscow’s airports was 12% higher than in Western Europe. Following IATA’s call for greater transparency, the gap has narrowed. “Now we must formalize the requirement for transparency and work to find a system to ensure that fuel uplifted for international flights meets Russia’s international obligation to be free of VAT,” said Bisignani.
- Promoting IATA e-freight: “After achieving 100% e-ticketing, the next big challenge is to implement e-freight. “To make this a reality, Russia must sign the Montreal Convention 99 recognizing electronic air way bills.,” said Bisignani.
- Global solutions for the environment: Russia has made tremendous progress on making air traffic more efficient. In 2008, at total of 131 routes were optimized. Work on a further 42 routes will take effect by the end of May.
- Moving forward with liberalization: “With Russia’s carriers active in seeking international partnerships, the archaic ownership limitations of the bilateral system are clearly visible. This crisis is an opportunity for change and I hope that Russia will play a leading role in allowing airlines to run their businesses with the same freedoms that other industries take for granted,” said Bisignani.
Bisignani looked beyond the current economic crisis to the future of Russian aviation.
“Russia’s vast geography makes aviation a critical link domestically and internationally. Russia’s location puts it at the crossroads of North America, Asia, Europe and The Middle East. Russia’s seat on the ICAO Council makes it an important player in international aviation policy. IATA’s goal is to work with the Russian government to ensure that this great aviation nation is fully integrated into the global aviation system. That means following its obligations under international law and using global standards. The result will be a safe and efficient air transport industry delivering enormous economic benefits,” said Bisignani.