Airlines call for better control of “weapons of war”
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The world’s airlines have called on the international community to control the flow of “weapons of war”, following the downing of flight MH17.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 240 of the world’s carriers, has urged the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and UN to address two major issues following the tragic incident in Ukraine: providing better information to airlines and improving the control of weapons, to keep them out of the hands of “non-state entities”.
While IATA did not mention Russia by name, the latter issue is clearly directed at Vladimir Putin’s government, with regards to the arming of rebels in eastern Ukraine.
“The tragic shooting-down of MH17 was an attack on the whole air transport industry. The world’s airlines are angry. Civil aircraft are instruments of peace. They should not be the target of weapons of war. That is enshrined in international law through the Chicago Convention,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general & CEO.
Following an ICAO meeting in Montreal this week, a declaration has been signed committing to the review of processes for the over-flight of conflict zones. A high-level task force will now be set up to address key issues, including the information provided to airlines with regard to route safety and the control of arms.
On the issue of weapon control, IATA urged the UN to tighten the control of arms to rebel groups.
“Weapons of war – including powerful anti-aircraft weaponry – are also in the hands of non-state entities,” said Tyler. “We have conventions that address chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons, plastic explosives, and weapons trade generally. But there is no international law or convention to manage them as exists for many other forms of weaponry. MH17 shows us that this is a gap in the international system which must be closed.
“Under ICAO’s leadership, I am confident that we can find ways within the UN system, to augment the international law framework to ensure that states fully understand and discharge their responsibilities in this regard,” said Tyler.
In terms of information, IATA said airlines needed “clear guidance” about the safety of air routes.
“We were told that flights traversing Ukraine’s territory at above 32,000 feet would not be in harm’s way. We now know how wrong that guidance was,” said Tyler.
“It is essential that airlines receive clear guidance regarding threats to their passengers, crew and aircraft. Such information must be accessible in an authoritative, accurate, consistent, and unequivocal way. This is the responsibility of states. There can be no excuses.”
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was flying on an ICAO-approved air route when it was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people onboard.
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