Five Countries In ASEAN Agree To Enhance Aviation Safety Through Data Sharing Initative

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz

SINGAPORE, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand will launch a Regional Aviation Safety Data and Information Sharing Initiative by the end of the year to enhance aviation safety in the region.

Through this first-of-its-kind initiative in the Asia-Pacific, the countries will collaborate and share de-identified safety data and information to identify safety hazards and trends, as well as develop mitigating measures to better manage safety risks.

“Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand recognise that the cross-border nature of aviation requires close cooperation and collaboration among civil aviation authorities to enhance aviation safety and address safety risks.

“A collective and coordinated approach, involving the sharing of safety data and information among relevant parties, will better ensure timely and effective identification, resolution, and management,” the countries’ civil aviation authorities said in a joint statement.

The initiative was first proposed at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety, held in Singapore in 2023.

Since then, the countries have worked together to agree on the initial list of safety data and information to be shared, as well as the principles and protocols governing data confidentiality.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the partnership was signed on the sidelines of the 59th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation for Asia and Pacific Regions in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday.

The shared data will come from each country’s mandatory reporting systems, covering scheduled international and domestic commercial air transport, based on occurrences reported by the states’ service providers, including airlines, air navigation service providers, and aerodrome operators.

An initial list of seven categories of safety occurrences has been identified for this initiative, including severe turbulence, windshear, and bird strikes.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will serve as the data custodian, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will act as the data analyst.

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) chief executive officer Datuk Capt. Norazman Mahmud, said that through this collaborative initiative by the states’ regulators of the aviation industry, the ability to proactively address safety risks while fostering sustainable aviation practices will be enhanced.

“By sharing safety data and insights, we can ensure the highest safety standards while contributing to a greener future for aviation. Together, we are laying the foundation for a resilient, safe, and environmentally responsible aviation sector across the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

-- BERNAMA