UN organizes Global Aviation Safety Conference for Humanitarian Air Operations

With a recent spate in incidents involving civilian aircrafts, the focus has once again shifted from fuel prices to a more prominent issue, and rightly so, safety. Aviation safety was put on the backburner while with everybody scurrying around crying themselves hoarse about rising fuel prices. It has been brought to fore again. It is infact now the number one priority for the global aviation community.

Humanitarian air operations, in particular, are facing unique challenges to transport aid workers for emergency relief actions to the most remote and difficult areas and to ensure the safety and security of their air travel. Keeping this issue as the backdrop, UN organized a conference focusing primarily at exploring the future of humanitarian air operations and global aviation safety and security.

The two day conference served the attendees to get together and discuss various issues plaguing the aviation community ranging from the safety of the aid workers to the future of humanitarian air services in safety standards.

The first day of the conference dealt with the role of the Civil Aviation Authorities and the independent safety organizations. Experts spoke about the various human factors involved in these operations and there were discussions about the aviation safety regulations and their potential implications on the humanitarian operations. The second day of the conference focused on the air operations from the perspective of WFP and other humanitarian stakeholders.

The international organizations participating in the conference included International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nations World Food Programme, United Nations Department of Field Support, Red Cross, European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, Mission Aviation Fellowship, local passenger and cargo operators and regional airlines and airports.

Cesar Arroyo, the Chief of Aviation Safety Unit of World Food Programme, said about the recently concluded conference,

"This two day conference was a great place for attendees to discuss global aviation safety and security issues with outstanding aviation experts, and explore the future of humanitarian air operations."

Partner sponsor to the event, Eastern SkyJets is currently flying for United Nations World Food Programme in Afghanistan.

Based in Dubai, flying under its own UAE Air Operator Certificate, Eastern SkyJets is considered as a specialist in flying into the region's hostile areas.

"By entering into an alliance with WFP to fly for its humanitarian operations, Eastern SkyJets has reaffirmed its stance of providing an efficient and safe air service for the aid workers flying into and out of Afghanistan. It requires a lot of meticulous planning and precise operating procedures to fly in these regions." said Mr. Tahir Khan, Director.

"Eastern SkyJets has long been operating in these regions and is well aware of the problems faced in terms of security and safety of the passengers. For us, safety comes first. The first Global Aviation Safety Conference for Humanitarian Air Operations provided an impeccable platform for all the humanitarian stakeholders to look at their operations in a new light and improve upon them" he added.

Eastern SkyJets was also recognized and lauded for assisting the international humanitarian agencies and its role in the regional humanitarian air services.