[010512.EN.AIR] IATA to Harmonise Global Standards To Achieve Safer Aviation

THE International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 2012 Operations Committee (OPC) has agreed to four priorities, including pilot and engineering training.

IATA said in a statement that accommodating the growth in demand for air connectivity with trained pilots and engineers is a priority. It will facilitate this with the IATA Training and Qualification Initiative (ITQI), which moves into its implementation stage.

The focus will be on working with the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) and regulators to shift to a competency-based approach to training for pilots and engineers.

"Safety remains the top priority. We have a full agenda to make an already safe industry even safer. Industry and governments have always cooperated to achieve our common goals based on global standards and harmonisation. The need to take those even further in the areas of training, ground safety, and auditing will be our priority over the coming year," said Guenther Matschnigg, IATA's senior vice president for safety, operations and infrastructure.

Source : HKSG, 01.05.12.