KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and its Asean counterparts are set to launch a regional aviation safety data and information sharing initiative to strengthen aviation safety in the region.
Malaysia and four other countries – Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines - said the de-identified safety data and safety information will be used to identify safety hazards and trends as well as to develop mitigating measures to improve the management of safety risks.
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud said the collaboration between these countries' aviation industry regulators will address safety risks proactively while enhancing the implementation of sustainable aviation practices.
"By sharing safety data and insights, we can ensure the highest safety standards can be achieved while contributing to a greener future for aviation.
"Together, we're laying the foundation for a resilient, safe and environmentally responsible aviation sector across the Asia Pacific region," he said in a statement yesterday.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the initiative was signed on Oct 16 by Norazman who represented Malaysia, Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) director of air navigation Syamsu Rizal and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) director general Han Kok Juan.
The MoU was also signed by Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) director general Suttipong Kongpool and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Captain Manuel Antonio Lara Tamayo.
The memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the 59th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions in Cebu, the Philippines.
The five countries will work towards launching the Regional Aviation Safety Data and Information Sharing Initiative by end-2024.
The initiative, aimed to ensure timely and effective identification, resolution and management of safety, was first mooted at the inaugural Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety held in Singapore in 2003.
Seven categories of safety occurrences were identified initially for the initiative, which includes traffic collision avoidance system – resolution advisory, deviations from air traffic controller assigned altitude, and ground proximity warning system or terrain awareness and warning systems activations.
The initial list of safety occurrences also includes severe turbulence, windshear, bird strikes and dangerous goods incidents.
"The occurrence types and data fields to be shared may be revised during the duration of the MoU, subject to mutual agreement," the civil aviation regulators said in a joint press statement.
The five countries will jointly develop a 'Procedural Handbook' which outlines working procedures and detail data governance protocols, including data/information security, protection, retention and destruction to ensure smooth implementation of the initiative.
The countries will contribute data for the initiative as Data Contributors while CAAT serves as Data Custodian and CAAS as Data Analyst.
CAAS director general Han said the first-of-its-kind initiative in the region will have a catalytic and demonstrative effect and he hopes that more countries will join the initiative to work together to ensure safer skies for the traveling public.
CAAT director general Kongpool said the initiative reflects Thailand's dedication to identifying and addressing risks in a collaborative manner and working together with trusted partners to build the Asia Pacific region into an aviation hub where safety is at the core.
"Thailand is proud to be part of this meaningful collaboration, which reinforces our shared responsibility for the safe and efficient use of common airspace," he added.
CAAP director general Captain Manuel said the five countries will collectively identify emerging trends and hazards through the initiative agreement which allows the continuous development of proactive measures that advance safety goals across Asia Pacific.