• 5th World Aviation Safety Summit to take place in Dubai this April

16 March 2017 – Dubai, UAE:  Tackling the safety challenges posed by the booming global aviation industry, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is hosting the World Aviation Safety Summit (WASS), returning to Dubai this year in its fifth edition. Taking place on 11 and 12 April, WASS 2017 will highlight key strategies for the safety culture of the future by engaging with local and international stakeholders from regulatory authorities, airline operators, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, pilot associations, safety organisations and air traffic control service providers.

The Summit will address how the aviation industry implements essential safety measures in order to efficiently manage the processes, threats and risks facing aviation safety professionals worldwide. The Summit will also closely examine best practices in crisis communications, reputation management, safety performance and wildlife management.

According to the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), which keeps a database of all air travel incidents, 2016 was the second safest year on record. Yet, despite the lack of major airline accidents challenges remain across aviation cyber security, environmental impact mitigation, communications, and safety performance management. WASS will evaluate a variety of such topics in order to highlight best practices and lessons learned.

Since 1997 the average number of airliner accidents has shown a steady and persistent decline. According to ASN, this is largely due to the efforts of international aviation organizations such as ICAO, IATA and the Flight Safety Foundation. As WASS’ Association Partner, experts from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will provide attendees with updates on the latest industry safety trends and best practices.

Some of the sessions at WASS include enhancing safe and secure operations; overflight and handling a complex geopolitical environment; safety performance, monitoring, measurement and benchmarking; business continuity and air safety; cyber security for safety; and risk management and predictive safety.

H.E. Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority said: 'As Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority, we are committed to the development of safety in the aviation sector locally, regionally and internationally. We are dedicated to backing the World Aviation Safety Summit and look forward to supporting the learning and innovations that come out of the global gathering. We believe that bringing global safety experts together will make a genuine difference to the industry, enhance performance levels and highlight Dubai’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure future for air travel.”

Nick Webb, Managing Partner at Streamline Marketing Group, the event organisers, commented: 'Returning for its 5th edition, WASS has established itself as an ideal platform for thought leaders of the global aviation safety sector to come together and discuss essential safety measures. Air traffic is booming, and with such rapid growth it is critical that industry and safety experts discuss solutions to the challenges and ever-growing demands of the industry. We look forward to welcoming the world’s global aviation safety experts in Dubai for the fifth edition of the Summit.”