Aviation leaders sign safety accord

The Philippines, along with four neighboring Southeast Asian countries, has entered into a data-sharing agreement aimed at strengthening aviation safety, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced on Thursday.

The pact was signed by aviation leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand on October 17, during the 59th Directors General of Civil Aviation Conference held in Cebu.

“Aviation is inherently cross-border, and collaboration is essential. Through this agreement, we can collectively identify emerging trends and hazards, enabling us to develop proactive measures that advance safety objectives across the Asia Pacific region,” CAAP Director General Manuel Antonio Tamayo said in a statement.

The shared data will initially focus on critical safety categories, including severe turbulence and incidents involving dangerous goods, according to CAAP.

“This initiative will enhance CAAP’s safety management activities by utilizing de-identified safety data to spot emerging risks, track trends, and implement measures aligned with the Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Plan. It will significantly improve our ability to manage risks and promote safety,” the agency added.