By our reporter
Global airlines lobby IATA, is heading to the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal next week, armed with 14 working papers covering the industry’s future around safety, sustainability, and efficiency.
Speaking ahead of the Assembly that runs from 23 September–3 October, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said among the issues IATA will push for is a stronger framework for SAF production and the creation of viable markets, alongside economic incentives for fuel producers to scale up output. The association is calling on states to reaffirm their commitment to CORSIA as the sole economic mechanism for managing aviation’s carbon impact, and to make sufficient emissions units available to allow airlines to meet their obligations.
“IATA will be participating in the ICAO Assembly with safety, sustainability, and efficiency at the top of our priority list. It is critical that we secure stronger support for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which are key enablers of aviation’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050,” said Willie Walsh. He also stressed the need for governments to uphold global standards under the Chicago Convention, avoiding fragmented taxes and passenger rights rules that could undermine the sector.
Safety and operational efficiency will also be in the spotlight with IATA urging governments to ensure timely accident reporting, protect critical radio frequency spectrum from interference, and strengthen coordination on GNSS navigation threats, particularly near conflict zones. In addition, the organisation is advocating for realistic timelines for aircraft mandate implementation and for revisiting pilot age limits on multi-pilot international flights, proposing an increase to 67 years while retaining stringent medical safeguards.
Walsh emphasised the role of ICAO’s global standards in harmonising aviation operations worldwide. “The criticality of global standards to aviation cannot be underestimated. Many of our submissions simply ask governments to implement what they have already agreed,” he said, noting that the Assembly sets the agenda not only for the coming weeks but for the three-year work program that follows.
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