IATA, CANSO, and ACI Launch Joint Runway Safety Initiative

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), and Airports Council International (ACI) have launched a joint initiative to reduce the risk of runway incursions.

Purpose of the Initiative
- Reduce the risk of runway incursions (aircraft, vehicles, or people incorrectly present on a runway).
- Strengthen collaboration among airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, regulators, and frontline personnel.

Focus Areas
1. Improved safety reporting & data capture
- Collect incidents, near misses, precursor events, and frontline observations.
2. Strengthening Local Runway Safety Teams
- Forums for stakeholders to assess risks and agree on coordinated actions.
3. Sharing progress & lessons learned
- Spread effective practices across airports and organizations with similar environments.

Tools & Programs Supporting the Initiative
- ACI’s Runway Safety Team Implementation Package (part of APEX in Safety).
- Runway Safety Checklist (co-developed by ACI & CANSO).
- IATA’s Runway Incursion Safety Risk Assessment.
- GAPPRI gap-analysis tool for airlines.
- IOSA program assessments of airline risk mitigations.

Key Quotes
- Nick Careen (IATA): “Flying is the safest form of long-distance travel… this initiative helps identify runway risks earlier and take coordinated action.”
- Andrea Sack (CANSO): “Runway safety depends on clear communication and coordinated decisions across the airport environment.”
- Darryl Dowd (ACI): “Local knowledge and sustained collaboration turn safety guidance into real reductions in risk.”

Broader Context
This builds on global efforts like:
- Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI).
- ICAO Global Runway Safety Action Plan.

Together, these organizations aim to ensure airports remain safe, efficient, and sustainable by tackling one of aviation’s most persistent risks.