The unprecedented impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is being immensely felt globally on the aviation industry. International and national associations are constantly making efforts to come up with appeals and measures possible to deal with this situation. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) also emphasised the importance of recovery of civil aviation in regards to the global economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlighting the remarks of the UN (United Nations) Secretary General António Guterres, ICAO Council president Salvatore Sciacchitano stated, “We are facing a global health crisis unlike any in the 75-year history of the United Nations.” He further added, “Secretary General Guterres underlined that after tackling the health emergency, we must focus on the social impact and the economic response and recovery, adding that creativity of the response must match the unique nature of the crisis.”

Authorities from around the world should acknowledge the importance of international air transport in a crisis, Sciacchitano highlighted. Air transport aids in delivering vital air cargo services to boost global supply chains, evacuate stranded passengers, and ensure that emergency and humanitarian response capabilities are carried out on time.The sustenance of the global aviation system is necessary to lead to the recovery of the economic issues brought about by Covid-19.

The recovery of the economy after the normalisation of the pandemic can be achieved if the authorities adopt effective public policies and strategies in the aviation sector.

Air transport aids in delivering vital air cargo services to boost global supply chains, evacuate stranded passengers, and ensure that emergency and humanitarian response capabilities are carried out on time. The sustenance of the global aviation system is necessary to lead to the recovery of the economic issues brought about by Covid-19

“Worldwide air transport connectivity stimulates economies through employment, trade and tourism, and supports states in achieving the Agenda 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Council of ICAO is calling on states and financial institutions to examine the best means of supporting sectoral stakeholders, airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers, without prejudice to fair competition and by ensuring transparency,” said Sciacchitano.

ICAO had also issued a call to national governments earlier in March on COVID-19 response effectiveness, urging all of its 193 member States to establish or adhere to several key international requirements contained in Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and relating primarily to the movement and health related screening of passengers and goods.

The ICAO Annex 9 standards to expedite the release and clearance of goods carried by air include a focus on the use of modern screening techniques for examination of goods, and others which importantly apply to the entry, departure, and transit of aircraft engaged in relief flights. States in this context were reminded by ICAO to implement measures to facilitate the receipt of aid, including through the provision of overflight and landing rights and the necessary privileges and immunities for relief units, in an effort to avoid disruption.

ICAO strongly urged the states to coordinate between aviation and health authorities and to establish National Facilitation Committees that comprise all relevant groups, taking into account that cross-sector collaboration at the national level is essential. The international council also brought to notice that while declaring the outbreak of COVID-19, the Director-General of the WHO (World Health Organisation) had also stressed that all countries should seek to strike a fine balance between protecting public health, respecting human rights, and minimising economic and social disruption.

ICAO draws attention of States towards the validity of certificates and licenses

As more and more aviation service providers and personnel globally are facing challenges in terms of maintaining the validity of their certifications, licenses, and other types of official operating approvals, ICAO issued a new State letter on April 3, 2020. The letter issued by ICAO Secretary General, Dr. Fang Liu, draws the attention of national governments to new measures aimed at ensuring safe operations during COVID-19, and to a contingency coordination website that it will establish through March 31, 2021.

“There are approximately 6,50,000 licensed personnel supporting commercial air transport worldwide. If a fraction of those personnel is affected by the pandemic measures, the potential for the disruption may be significant,” Dr Liu noted in the letter. “In order to facilitate safe operations during these difficult times, I encourage States to be flexible in their approaches while at the same time adhering to their obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation.”

Many of the related challenges are resulting directly from the social distancing guidelines, current business closures, and other public health measures being taken to mitigate the spread and societal impact of COVID-19.

While declaring the outbreak of COVID-19, the Director-General of the WHO (World Health Organisation) had also stressed that all countries should seek to strike a fine balance between protecting public health, respecting human rights, and minimising economic and social disruption.

The letter drew States’ attention to the specific articles to the Convention on International Civil Aviation relating to certificates and licenses, and urged them to record and inform ICAO of any contraventions or ‘differences’ currently arising against these provisions during the current contingency period.

All ICAO Member States were also asked in the letter to indicate whether they would be recognising or accepting the validity of certificates and licenses now being affected by the public health measures being implemented in other States.

Authorities asked to safeguard air navigation service providers (ANSPs)

The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) has urged the authorities to safeguard air navigation service providers (ANSPs) from economic collapse amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The air traffic management industry has been under severe pressure due to the global reduction in passenger traffic caused by Covid-19-related travel restrictions and other factors.

“The current crisis has unfortunately hit our airline customers hard, but airlines deferring payment or not paying at all, for air navigation services, is absolutely not the solution.We need to make sure we do not create long term damage to the aviation system and avoid one company’s solution being another’s problem. Unlike the airlines, we cannot suspend operations and lay off a large proportion of our staff. We have to continue to keep our operations running safely, to keep our sectors manned in order,” said CANSO Director General Simon Hocquard.

He also added that airspace cannot be closed as flights still need to be managed even if they are at a lower level.To keep their employees safe and healthy, CANSO stated that some of the ANSPs have implemented operational measures to aid the industry, including the removal of constraints to reduce the routes and increase flight efficiency.

Providers have also deployed measures to reduce costs. However, reduction in revenue could decrease the ability to smoothly and safely control traffic when the volumes increase in the future.

Hocquard added: “Air traffic management is a critical part of our national infrastructures and we must protect it. That starts by making sure we do not cut off the essential revenue stream that enables them to provide a vital and safe service today and, in the future.”

CANSO has asked the national decision makers to implement financial support for the ANSPs, airlines, airports and other stakeholders, which will help in the stability and resilience of the industry.