ICAO stresses measures to reduce runway-related accidents

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its industry partners attending a symposium agreed Thursday on measures to reduce runway-related accidents, the largest single cause of aviation accidents and fatalities.

Over the past five years, about one third of all aviation accidents reported to ICAO were linked to runway operations. And about one fifth of runway-related accidents were the result of incursions or excursions, experts revealed at the first Global Runway Safety Symposium.

Incursions involve the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for landing and take-off of aircraft. Excursions occur when aircraft veer off or overrun the runway surface.

"We have a clear understanding on the roles and responsibilities of each of the partners in reducing and working toward eliminating runway incursions and excursions," said Nancy Graham, director of the Air Navigation Bureau of ICAO, at the closing session of the forum.

Among the initiatives are a series of runway safety seminars to develop regional action plans and promote the establishment of collaborative runway safety teams involving airlines, airports and air navigation service providers.

Also included are the compilation and further development of best practices and more sharing of information among ICAO member states and industry.

To further enhance runway safety, ICAO and partner organizations will develop multidisciplinary guidance material and develop training workshops for relevant personnel in flight operations, air traffic management and airport operational areas.

Close cooperation has already led to a number of solutions, including the Runway Excursion Risk Reduction Toolkit, the second edition of which was released at this week's symposium.

Some 420 participants from 75 ICAO member states and international aviation organizations attended the three-day symposium starting on Tuesday at the organization's headquarters here.

A specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world.

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