IATA to provide training to improve runway safety, operational efficiency of aviation
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is collaborating with the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on a virtual training to boost runway safety and the operational efficiency of aviation.
The three industry organizations, IATA, CANSO, ICAO have launched a new virtual training course on the new ICAO Global Reporting Format for Runway Surface Conditions (GRF).
The GRF, which become effective on November 4, 2021, sets out new ICAO methodology for assessing and reporting runway surface conditions aimed at improved flight crew assessment of take-off and landing performance.
The virtual course is specially designed to meet training requirements for air traffic controllers and aeronautical information service staff. The course content has been preliminarily reviewed by state and regional regulatory bodies to ensure it complies with the GRF training requirement.
The training partnership is the first of its kind between the three international organisations and sets the stage for future partnership on global safety enhancement activities.
IATA’s Senior Vice President for Safety and Flight Operations, Gilberto Lopez Meyer said “Safety is always the number one priority in aviation and as an industry we constantly work to mitigate risk even further. The GRF is a globally-harmonized methodology that is intended to be the sole reporting format for international aviation, with the objective of reducing runway excursions.
“Collaboration between the main stakeholders on training will ensure that all parties understand and apply this new and enhanced common standard.”
Director General CANSO, Simon Hocquard said “We are pleased to be working with IATA and ICAO to provide Air Navigation Service Providers with a common method of meeting the training requirement. This initiative will help to ensure understanding and improved adherence to the new runway surface condition reporting standard in an efficient way.”
ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu explained that “Runway safety continues to remain aviation’s biggest safety challenge, representing more than half of all accidents reported to ICAO for commercial operations.”
