Pact to enhance aviation safety

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippines has entered into an agreement with Southeast Asian nations to enhance aviation safety, as Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General, Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo, emphasized that significant work remains to achieve their goals.

The agreement was formalized before the close of the 59th Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Conference at Dusit Thani in Lapu-Lapu City, with CAAP DG Tamayo signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) alongside his counterparts from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

This initiative aims to enhance CAAP’s safety management activities by leveraging de-identified safety data to identify emerging hazards, track trends, and implement measures that support the goals of the Asia-Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Plan and improve risk management, CAAP said in a statement.

The agreement also sets the foundation for further cooperation among Southeast Asian countries, with the anticipation that more nations will join in the future to advance the collective effort to ensure safer skies for travelers across the region.

This collaboration, first proposed at the Asia-Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety in Singapore in 2023, reflects the Philippines' commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety in the region.

“The cross-border nature of aviation demands that we work together. Through this agreement, we will collectively identify emerging trends and hazards, allowing the continuous development of proactive measures that advance safety goals across the Asia-Pacific. Together, we will ensure safer skies for all,” CAAP Director-General Captain Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo emphasized.

The shared data, sourced from mandatory safety reporting systems, will initially focus on seven key safety categories, including severe turbulence and dangerous goods incidents. The Philippines will play an active role in collecting and analyzing this data to identify regional safety trends.

At the closing ceremony of the five-day event, Tamayo disclosed that they were able to tackle 10 key agenda items, present 80 discussion papers, and identify 47 crucial action items expected to propel them forward.

“In line with our theme, sustainability was a cornerstone in all our discussions. Delegations called for collaboration in research and development, and formulation of policies that will support innovations on security and resiliency while ensuring a sustainable aviation sector,” Tamayo said.

Inclusivity was also emphasized, with Tamayo noting that even small steps can create a significant, long-lasting impact for all.

Tamayo also called on other nations to ratify pending international air law treaties and advocate for representation and harmonized regulations.

Following the event, Tamayo invited everyone to another important meeting, the 36th Meeting of the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from November 25 to 27, chaired once again by the Philippines. — (FREEMAN)