Safety, security top concerns for Asia Pacific aviation

A joint statement has been issued by the 47th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA) in the territory, emphasising that safety and security will remain the highest priorities of the aviation industry.
Hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau (AACM), the five-day conference which concluded last Friday was attended by more than 260 attendees from 34 member states and regions and also eight international organisations from the Asia Pacific.
The conference, themed “Through the Turbulence, Working Together for the Recovery and Enhanced Development of Aviation”, aimed to produce a productive discussion in face of the “unprecedented growth” of air transportation in the Asia-Pacific Region, according to an AACM press statement.
In the statement, it is agreed that the member states and regions will further enhance cooperation in aviation safety and aviation security, as well as efficiency and sustainability which will be the “essential elements” in the course of development.
The statement also indicates that the member states and regions recognise the importance of establishing a coordination mechanism to enhance the regional safety performance based on the Global Aviation Safety Plan of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO); and are committed to strictly monitoring the implementation of aviation security measures so as to ensure compliance with international standards.
In addition, it has been agreed that modern technologies have saved flight time and fuels and thus contributed to environmental protection by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The states and regions will facilitate the global construction of a seamless air navigation environment and further render support for ICAO’s environmental initiatives.
During the conference, the AACM presented six papers concerning air passenger traffic rights, implementation of voluntary incident reporting system and modernisation of communication/navigation/surveillance, amongst others. They have helped reinforce the participants’ awareness of Macau’s aviation development, the AACM said.
In conclusion of the 47th DGCA, it has been decided that the host Macau SAR will be the coordinator of the Multilateral Meeting for Enhanced Cooperation in the coming year aiming to strengthen ties among the member states and regions.
Meanwhile, the AACM held informal side meetings with Japan and India to discuss development of the air transport markets.
India has agreed to hold talks with Macau next year to renew the bilateral Air Services Agreement.