The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged continued cooperation between state aviation safety regulators for the safe re-entry into service of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The IATA said safety regulators should “continue to align on technical validation requirements and timelines”, an announcement that came at the conclusion of the second Boeing 737 MAX Summit organised by IATA in Montreal on 26 June.
“The Boeing 737 MAX tragedies weigh heavily on an industry that holds safety as its top priority, IATA’s director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac (pictured above) said. “We trust the Federal Aviation Administration, in its role as the certifying regulator, to ensure the aircraft’s safe return to service. And we respect the duty of regulators around the world to make independent decisions on FAA’s recommendations.
“At the same time, aviation is a globally integrated system that relies on global standards, including mutual recognition, trust, and reciprocity among safety regulators. This harmonised structure has worked successfully for decades to help make air travel the safest form of long distance travel the world has known. Aviation cannot function efficiently without this coordinated effort, and restoring public confidence demands it,” he said.
IATA also reiterated the need for alignment on additional training requirements for Boeing 737 MAX flight crew. The FAA recently revealed it was still in the process of developing training requirements for the jet.
More than 40 airlines, safety regulatory authorities, original equipment manufacturers, training organisations, aviation-related associations and aircraft lessors were in attendance at the event in Montreal earlier this week.
The International Air Transport Association represents some 290 airlines around the world, comprising 82 per cent of global air traffic.
