Hosting the WSOC in China for the first time was described as a strategic choice, with Searle highlighting China’s growing role in global aviation. He noted the country’s positive developments in safety leadership, spectrum management for 5G rollout, and increased international waypoints that improve navigation efficiency and safety.
Searle acknowledged the contribution of aviation to China’s economy – USD 250 billion in GDP and 10.2 million jobs – and emphasized that such growth must be underpinned by robust safety oversight.
However, he also raised serious concerns about the current global safety environment. Referring to recent tragedies involving Azerbaijan Airlines and incidents in Sudan, he warned that airlines are navigating increasingly volatile geopolitical conditions.
Among the risks mentioned were:
- The impact of the Ukraine war, leading to 2,000 cancelled and 1,500 rerouted flights daily
- Airspace constraints from India – Pakistan tensions, forcing 200 daily flight diversions
- Drone incursions in multiple European countries
- A 200% increase in GNSS (satellite navigation) interference since 2021
Searle stressed that while airlines apply mitigations, these disruptions reduce operational confidence, increase costs, and contribute to higher emissions.
Emphasis on global standards
Searle described global standards as the foundation of international air connectivity. He emphasized four priority areas:
- GNSS interference: IATA and EASA have introduced a four-point GNSS Resilience Plan. The next step is ICAO-led standardization and global guidance.
- Radio spectrum protection: The rapid rollout of 5G and 6G challenges aviation’s reserved frequencies. Coordination with telecom regulators and updated on-board systems are critical.
- Safe carriage of lithium batteries: Public understanding remains limited. IATA is launching the “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries” campaign to promote awareness among passengers.
- Accident reporting compliance: Only 58% of accidents (2019–2023) have final reports. Delays hinder learning and public trust. IATA continues to urge governments to comply with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention.
Data as a tool for proactive safety
On the role of data, Searle highlighted IATA’s Global Aviation Data Management (GADM) platform and specific initiatives:
- Turbulence Aware: Now with 3,200 aircraft, including Air France, Etihad, and SAS, this platform helps manage real-time turbulence information.
- SafetyIS: Predictive analytics from flight data has already identified safety trends, such as increased alert levels at a major Latin American airport.
- Risk-based IOSA: Tailored audits have already identified over 8,000 corrective actions.
He encouraged broader participation in data-sharing platforms like GADM and IATA Connect to foster collaboration across the industry.
ICAO Assembly and supply chain risks
Reporting on the recent ICAO Assembly, Searle shared that IATA successfully influenced outcomes related to accident investigation, pilot retirement age, and integration of audit data into standard-setting processes.
He also addressed growing supply chain pressures:
- Aircraft deliveries dropped to 1,254 in 2024 – 30% below pre-pandemic levels
- The order backlog reached 17,000 aircraft
- Engine-related issues have grounded hundreds of aircraft
- Financial losses from supply chain disruptions are estimated to exceed USD 11 billion in 2025
These pressures, he said, risk reducing safety margins due to delayed maintenance and limited access to spare parts. IATA’s MRO SmartHub was mentioned as a real-time tool to help airlines access the aftermarket for serviceable components.
A joint report with Oliver Wyman – released during the conference – calls for urgent action to restore resilience, improve forecasting, and ensure fair access to parts and maintenance.Looking ahead
Searle concluded by reinforcing that aviation safety must be continuously strengthened through:
- Leadership and adherence to the IATA Safety Leadership Charter
- Keeping global standards relevant and enforced
- Leveraging aviation data to predict and prevent incidents
He called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and collaborative as the industry adapts to evolving risks and operational complexity. “By focusing on leadership, standards, and data, we will build an industry that is safer, more efficient, and capable of delivering the connectivity the world relies on,” Searle said.
Tags: Safety, Mark Searle, IATA, World Safety and Operations Conference