The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will host a high-level meeting on July 29 that will consider plans to more effectively mitigate potential risks to civil aviation of operating in conflict zones. The meeting, which was prompted by the apparent shooting down on July 17 of Malaysian Airlines’ Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, will be attended by ICAO Council president Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, ICAO secretary general Raymond Benjamin, IATA director general and CEO Tony Tyler, ACI director general Angela Gittens and CANSA director general Jeff Poole. On July 24, ICAO issued an official “state letter” reminding aviation authorities in all 191 signatory states of their responsibilities with respect to the safety and security of civil aircraft operating in airspace affected by conflict. Aliu said the letter addressed confusion and ensured clarity and consistency of communication with member states and recognized observer organizations following the loss of MH17. The letter reminds individual states their obligations should not be confused with safety information circulated by ICAO when potential hazards to civil-aviation operations are identified. It also draws attention to the need for appropriate authorities to consider and mitigate the safety risk and potential congestion should operators decide to fly around areas of conflict.
