Airlines call for implementation of global carbon offsetting scheme

The 75th IATA Annual General Meeting overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on governments to continue important work for full implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) agreed on through the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

CORSIA is the first global carbon pricing instrument for an industry sector. It will cap net CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels (carbon-neutral growth, or CNG). “Airlines know that effective plans to cut emissions are critical to earning their license to meet the growing demands for air connectivity. In fact, the strongest demand growth is in the developing world, reflective of aviation’s contribution to 15 of 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. CORSIA sets the stage by capping emissions at 2020 levels. Between 2020 and 2035 it will mitigate over 2.5 billion tons of CO2 and generate at least $40 billion in finance for carbon reduction initiatives,” said the IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac. The AGM urged ICAO member states to: Implement CORSIA as the single global market-based mechanism for climate change mitigation and avoid implementing overlapping or duplicate measures such as unilateral carbon taxes. Consider volunteering to participate in CORSIA in the pilot phase. Align domestic regulations on the monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions with CORSIA’s internationally agreed upon standards, to prevent market distortions through multiple requirements.

IATA and Star Alliance extend cooperation to improve passenger experience

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Star Alliance have renewed their collaboration on traveller document verification to improve the passenger experience. Star Alliance and the IATA, in a signing ceremony at the IATA’s 75th Annual General Meeting in Seoul, agreed that the IATA’s Timatic AutoCheck solution will continue to power the Automated Document Check (ADC) for Star Alliance member carriers.

Airlines commit to improve travel for passengers with disabilities

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 75th Annual General Meeting (AGM) approved a resolution to improve the air travel experience for the estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide.

The AGM confirms the commitment of airlines to ensuring that passengers with disabilities have access to safe, reliable and dignified travel, and calls upon governments to use the IATA’s core principles for accommodating passengers with disabilities.

These principles aim to change the focus from disability to accessibility and inclusion by bringing the travel sector together with governments to harmonize regulations and provide the clarity and global consistency that passengers expect. An IATA survey of 48 airlines reported that the requests for wheelchair assistance grew 30% between 2016 and 2017, putting strain onto the quality of the service provided. Airlines and airports are working together to ensure that wheelchair assistance is available to those who need it. In parallel, they are also working to develop other forms of assistance for passengers who are mobile but do not feel comfortable navigating through a large airport.

For passengers with disabilities who travel with their own mobility aids, damage when stowed is a major concern. Airlines are working with associations of passengers with disabilities, airports, ground handlers, and regulators, to look at ways to improve this. One option under consideration is to develop standard procedures related to the loading of passengers’ mobility aids.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will host the 76th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on 22-23June 2020.