LOCATION: TEHRAN, IRAN
Issue/Source: Ukraine international airlines flight ps-752 shot down in iran on january 8, 2020
Date: FEBRUARY 5, 2021
SUGGESTED RESPONSES
- Our thoughts continue to go out to all affected by the tragic downing of a Ukraine International Airlines aircraft that occurred on January 8, 2020, in Iran.
- The Government of Canada is wholely committed to seeing that risks are properly mitigated when it comes to flight operations near conflict zones.
- That is why Transport Canada acted swiftly to engage international partners and lead global efforts to mitigate risks to civil aviation posed by conflict zones. Our international Safer Skies Initiative reflects our strong and dynamic commitment in that regard.
- Transport Canada supported Special Advisor Goodale on his important work and welcomes his report, released on December 15, 2020.
- It is important to note that Iran is leading the safety investigation into this tragedy, and we are expecting its report in the coming weeks.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Downing of Flight PS-752 and Transport Canada Response
- Ukraine International Airlines flight PS-752 to Kyiv (UIA flight 752) was downed less than four minutes after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran on January 7 at 11:42PM EST by Iran’s air defence.
- All 176 people aboard the flight are deceased, including 57 Canadians.
- Immediately following the downing of PS-752, Transport Canada called upon the Five Eyes community to gather information and intelligence, including satellite data and images to determine the cause of the crash. The Department also reached out to Ukraine to offer technical assistance, which led to the deployment of a senior Transport Canada analyst to closely monitor investigation efforts and progress by Ukraine officials.
- On January 10, 2020, Transport Canada issued a Notice to Airmen advising against entering Iranian and Iraqi airspace. No Canadian operators fly directly to the affected area. On February 9, 2020, Transport Canada issued a Notice to Airmen regarding Syrian airspace, and on February 18, a Notice to Airmen regarding Libyan airspace.
Transport Canada’s Current State of Action – Safer Skies
- Transport Canada’s approach to improve safety has been focused on two tracks: the first is to advance the key elements of the Safer Skies Initiative, and the second is to advance reforms addressing the gaps in to the International Civil Aviation Organization accident investigation regime exposed by Iran’s safety investigation into the downing of PS-752.
- 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, based on international best practices.
- 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 Statement, where signatories pledged to take key actions with respect to conflict zone risk mitigation.
- The work to advance the Safer Skies Initiative and improving civil aviation over conflict zones is expected to continue well into 2021 and beyond.
Commemorating the Victims of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 and Other Air Disasters
- On December 23, 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.