FLIGHT PS-752 DOWNING & SAFER SKIES INITIATIVE
LOCATION: NATIONAL
Issue/Source: RELEASE OF IRAN’S FINAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT INTO THE DOWNING OF Ukraine international airlines flight ps-752
Date: MARCH 22, 2021
SUGGESTED RESPONSES
- Iran released its Final Accident Investigation Report into the downing of Flight PS-752 on March 17, 2021.
- The Government of Canada found that, upon review, the report is incomplete and does not answer many important questions raised by Canada, for which the families of the victims, and all Canadians, deserve answers.
- On March 18, 2021, The Transport Safety Board (TSB) also noted the report is incomplete and that it does not actually address the stated cause of the tragic accident – the lauching of the missile, nor addresses this key element in the recommendations.
- The TSB recognizes that amendments the ICAO Annex 13 are required to strengthen the current investigation regime. The TSB also stated that the Safer Skies Initiative “offers the best hope for the future to avoid another PS752”.
- Soon, Canada’s Forensic Examination and Assessment Team will release a report of its own contaning factual information that will help answer some of the outstanding questions surrounding the downing of Flight PS-752.
- The Government of Canada remains committed to holding Iran accountable and obtaining justice by ensuring that Iran makes full reparations to the victims and the affected States.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Downing of Flight PS-752 and Transport Canada Response
- On January 8, 2020, Flight PS-752 was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. All 176 people aboard the flight died, including 57 Canadians.
- In response, Canada established the Safer Skies Initiative to mitigate risks to civil aviation operations in or near conflict zones.
- Progress has been achieved at the international level to advance Canada’s Safer Skies Initiative, including the creation of the Safer Skies Commitment Statement, and Transport Canada’s hosting of the first global Safer Skies Forum, focused exclusively on the risks conflict zones pose to civil aviation operations.
Release of Iran’s Final Accident Investigation Report into the downing of PS-752
- On March 19, 2021, Canada’s Permanent Representative to ICAO delivered a statement during the ICAO Council closure of the 222nd session acknowledging the release of Iran’s Final Investigation report, and stated that Canada remains deeply concerned about the lack of comprehensiveness in this report. Once Canada’s review is completed, it will issue an official government response, as well as next steps.
Transport Canada’s Safer Skies Initiative
- The main objective of the Safer Skies Initiative is to improve the safety of air travel worldwide by addressing gaps in the way the civil aviation sector deals with conflict zones.
- Under the Safer Skies Initiative, Transport Canada established Canada’s first Conflict Zone Information Office (CZIO), based on international best practices.
- On January 10, 2020, CZIO issued Transport Canada’s first airspace notification for foreign conflict zones, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advising against entering Iranian and Iraqi airspace. No Canadian operators fly directly to the affected area. On February 9, 2020, Transport Canada issued a NOTAM regarding Syrian airspace, and on February 18, 2020, a NOTAM regarding Libyan airspace.
- On December 8 and 9, 2020, Transport Canada hosted the Safer Skies Forum, the first ever forum exclusively dedicated to risk mitigation of civilian flight operations near conflict zones. Over a two-day period, international aviation partners, from States to international organizations and the aviation industry, came together with a vision to build a more robust aviation system, capable of protecting civilian flight operators from conflict zone risks.
- During the forum, Canada sought and received considerable support for a Safer Skies Commitment Statement, where signatories pledged to take key actions with respect to conflict zone risk mitigation. Nineteen (19) States and four (4) industry organizations have endorsed the Statement to date.
- On February 25, 2021, Transport Canada issued its first Aeronautical Information Circular, which incorporated all of the above NOTAMs and added notifications for North Korean, Somali and Yemini airspace. In addition, on March 11, 2021, Transport Canada issued a NOTAM for Saudi Arabian airspace.
Commemorating the Victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 and other Air Disasters
On December 23, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada will designate January 8 of every year as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.