Montreal, 29 July 2014 – Following the downing of Flight MH17, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) called on States to share information and intelligence so that airlines can make informed decisions about the safest routes to fly. CANSO welcomes the establishment of a high-level Task Force agreed today that will urgently address this issue and the overall safety of aircraft over conflict zones.

Speaking at a high level meeting of aviation leaders in Montreal, CANSO Director General, Jeff Poole, said, “The downing of Flight MH17 raises vital questions about the safety of aircraft over conflict zones.  The incident shows that there are gaps in the overall management of airspace. In order to provide safe and effective ATM for airspace users and passengers, air navigation service providers (ANSPs) need correct and reliable information, guidance, and decisions from States.  We need the right information at the right place at the right time to enable prompt and appropriate airspace management actions. For ATM we do not need detailed security and intelligence reasons for airspace restrictions or closures, but we do need authoritative, accurate and consistent decisions from the appropriate authorities. I welcome today’s agreement to establish a Task Force to address this.”

The meeting, hosted by the President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council and the ICAO Secretary General included the Directors General of CANSO, International Air Transport Association and Airports Council International. They agreed to set up a Task Force to explore fail-safe channels through which essential information is made available to civil aviation authorities and industry. CANSO and its Members will participate and support the Task Force, in partnership with ICAO, States and industry partners.

Poole concluded, “As an integral part of aviation, air traffic management (ATM) has a remarkable safety record. The current safety systems are serving the industry well so we do not believe that the entire system needs to be overhauled. Therefore the Task Force will focus on the specific shortfalls and lessons to be learned from MH17. This initiative reflects the commitment of all parts of the aviation value chain to work in partnership together - States and the aviation industry. The Joint Statement agreed today provides assurance that we know what to do, how to do it and that we are getting on with it together.”