Safer Skies Commitment Statement

The tragic loss of life resulting from the January 8, 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 dramatically highlights the need to improve international efforts to safeguard civilian flight operations in and around conflict zones. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), numerous States, and the aviation industry have made great strides following the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. However, there is more we can do to avoid further loss of life in civilian aircraft due to military actions and/or by non-State actors.

Recognizing that further decisive action to avoid such tragedies requires strengthened international cooperation, national procedures and air operators’ engagement, the undersigned endeavor to:

1. Improve the sharing of information, advice, warnings, and best practices, in order to properly identify and manage risks posed to civil aviation operating in or around conflict zones;
2. Develop domestic civil aviation authority-led requirements or for air operators who fly internationally to incorporate risk assessment and mitigation protocols related to conflict zones into their Safety and Security Management Systems;
3. Support requests from States whose territories suffer hostilities to address airspace management and civilian-military operations deconfliction;
4. Encourage enhanced collaboration among civil aviation authorities, air navigation service providers, and agencies responsible for national defense during emerging threat situations; and
5. Implement ICAO conflict zone and airspace management-related Standard and Recommended Practices and, where possible, provide advice to other States to address any implementation challenges.

We, the undersigned, have decided to work towards implementation of the action items outlined above. To this end, the annual Safer Skies Forums will serve as the founding international platform to advance the actions set forth in this Statement.

Together, let’s make our skies safer.

Signed December 8, 2020 Ottawa, Canada

This statement is endorsed by the following States and Industries:

States

Industries