IATA Conference Will Target Air Freight Safety and Security

BRAZIL – WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is to hold its 2012 Ops Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 16-18 April. The Ops Conference is a premier invite-only event that enables IATA member airlines and the broader civil aviation community to discuss key issues on safety, security, operations and infrastructure and this year freight will be firmly on the agenda with cargo security and safety under the microscope.

The Ops Conference is an invitation only event and IATA’s chance to interact with member airlines, and the broader civil aviation community, on key issues related to passenger and freight safety, security, operations and infrastructure. With global economic uncertainty lending even greater emphasis to these discussions this year a particular focus will be given to the Latin America region, and the conference will be held in partnership with the Asociacion Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Transporte Aereo (ALTA).

As well as the topics mentioned above the Conference will also discuss environment, fuel and regulatory harmonization plus infrastructure with a focus on airports and performance based navigation. Preceding the two-day conference, on Monday 16 April, three full-day workshops will be offered on important industry topics, for conference delegates only subjects to be covered include:

Fatigue management and Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS), Security and Facilitation including Checkpoint of the Future, Safety Data Management, Training and Runway Excursion Prevention Safety.

No doubt delegates will also be discussing the expected decision of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to commence the development work associated with Option 2 of the Airport Master Plan 2030 in the building of a third runway and new satellite concourse. If approved, the project will accelerate from the works already undertaken to develop the midfield terminal concourse and move on to the five year land reclamation project to create an additional 650 hectares from the sea.

Another region which needs urgent attention is the stricken community of Haiti which has already been under review by various states and international organizations. The aviation sector, including the Port Au Prince Mais Gate airport, remains in a dire state. Haiti’s National Office of Civil Aviation agreed with ICAO and IATA that the duplication of efforts is not efficient and will only slow progress.

A commitment to address the priorities and set timetables is urgently needed. ICAO agreed and have already stated that they will continue to coordinate and monitor with international agencies the activities concerning the Haitian aviation sector and airport rehabilitation. IATA reiterated its pledge and commitment to provide training and development to assist in the rehabilitation effort of Haiti’s aviation sector. The next step is for the Haitian Government and ICAO to implement the Haitian Civil Aviation Development Action Plan.

Although the Ops Conference is invitation only anyone who feels they have been overlooked should e mail OpsConference@iata.org  to discuss attending.