The International Air Transport Association 73rd annual general meeting has adopted a resolution reaffirming the airline industry’s commitment to safety and security.

The industry body also called for greater collaboration among all government and industry stakeholders to keep flying secure with risk mitigation measures that maximise the protection of passengers and crew while minimising disruption to passengers and the economy at large.

“Aviation is a target for terrorists intent on destroying the freedom that is at the heart of our business.

“Information sharing among governments and with the industry is the key to staying a step ahead of emerging threats. We have the same goals—to keep passengers and crew safe.

“So it only makes sense that we work together as closely as possible,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA director general.

The resolution highlighted the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2309, which called for governments to meet their responsibility to keep citizens secure while traveling by air.

It also reaffirmed the industry’s strong support for the development by the International Civil Aviation Organisation of the Global Aviation Security Plan.

As a goal, GASeP should significantly enhance the clarity, simplicity, and focus of ICAO’s global standards for security so that there is no ambiguity in the responsibilities of states.

“GASeP must be a pragmatic and nimble framework for all parties involved in aviation security to work together.

“No single entity has all the answers.

“By combining our strengths more efficiently, the security of passengers and crew will be better served,” said de Juniac.

The Resolution urges governments to engage the industry in early dialogue when faced with a security threat to ensure that workable and effective response measures are developed that can be implemented efficiently to maximize passenger safety and minimize disruption

“The timing of the resolution is significant. Public and industry confidence has been rattled by inconsistencies in how some states have responded to concerns over the potential for explosives to be concealed in large portable electronic devices.

“It highlights the reason why we need better information sharing and better coordination to achieve risk mitigation measures that maximize the protection of passengers and crew while minimizing unnecessary disruption,” said de Juniac.

The resolution also recognizes the important role of industry in helping governments to keep flying secure. The resolution commits airlines to implement prescribed security standards and recommended practices to the highest level.