Cooperation remains the key for managing disruption in uncertain times
Paris, 17 December 2024 — This week, the latest ECAC Forum of Directors General (FORUM/16) took place in Paris bringing together over 70 representatives of ECAC Member States, EUROCONTROL, the European Commission, EASA, ICAO and Zero to exchange information and discuss strategies for managing the growing threats of disruption in the aviation sector in our current uncertain times.
Raúl Medina, Director General EUROCONTROL, set the scene for the Forum by sharing priorities for his organisation based on challenges such as air traffic restrictions and weather disruptions, the need for the aviation sector to reduce its emissions, and calls for increased operational efficiency to manage higher volumes of flights while meeting sustainability requirements.
In the opening session, moderated by Damien Cazé, Director General of Civil Aviation, France, speakers shared their experiences in managing critical situations and crises, and their key concerns for stability affecting the global aviation sector. The second session, led by Zdeněk Jelínek, Director General of Civil Aviation, Czechia and ECAC Focal Point for Diversity and Inclusion, addressed the critical topic of the evolution of the workforce and the sector’s need for new talents and competencies. In the third session, moderated by Anelia Marinova, Director General of Civil Aviation, Bulgaria, speakers explored strategies to predict and mitigate future crises within and outside of the aviation sector.
The discussions highlighted the valuable experiences across Europe in dealing with diverse crises. Throughout the Forum, participants recognised that cooperation was crucial to address common challenges related to the impacts of current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, economic instability, and climate change, including weather events of increasing severity.
The participants agreed there was serious threat to the efficiency and effectiveness of the aviation sector if skills and competencies could not be secured. With expectations of continued aviation growth worldwide and changing mentality about the attractiveness of the sector, they recognised the need for greater diversity within the aviation workforce. Such diversity would also contribute to a more innovative environment. They stressed the importance of communicating the wide range of career opportunities across the aviation industry, particularly to underrepresented groups.
The Forum concluded with a reminder of the importance of learning from the past. While not all crises can be predicted, it was agreed that having established procedures, protocols and communication networks in place is essential for responding swiftly when crises arrive. Collaborative planning was identified as critical to build a foundation for action, especially in the first crucial stages of a crisis.