Singapore to hold aviation safety summit as sector recovers from COVID shutdown

(PHOTO: Steve Strike/Outback Photographics)

The COVID-19 pandemic has added unprecedented challenges to aviation safety, including the availability and proficiency of skilled personnel, the airworthiness of aircraft returning to service from storage, familiarity with new procedures and safety regime, culture and leadership in companies under financial pressure to ramp up service. Disruptive shifts in the aviation sector and the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned aviation systems, while creating exciting new opportunities, also pose unique safety risks.

The three-day Asia-Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS) will discuss these safety challenges, why and how safety incidents happen and initiatives to strengthen aviation safety, including addressing human factors issues and leveraging operational data and technology. Keynote speakers include prominent international aviation experts such as  Stephen Creamer, Director of the Air Navigation Bureau at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Christopher Hart, former U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman, and Patrick Ky, Executive Director, European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said: “Singapore is privileged and honoured to be able to develop, launch and co-organise this region-wide summit with the Flight Safety Foundation. While countries have their own national regimes, aviation is cross-border and airlines operate across national boundaries; region-wide cooperation is necessary to assure aviation safety. The summit is timely as regulators, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, air navigation service providers, aerodrome operators and other aviation organisations grapple with safety challenges and incidents with air traffic volume returning to pre-pandemic levels. Our working together will help more effectively assure the travelling public of aviation safety.”

Dr Hassan Shahidi, President and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation said: “We are very pleased that Steve Creamer, Chris Hart and Patrick Ky will deliver the AP-SAS keynote addresses. Their breadth of experience and in-depth knowledge of aviation safety issues give them unique perspectives on the industry’s challenges moving forward.”

Cre: Asian Aviation