IATA, CANSO, and ACI Join Forces in Global Initiative to Mitigate Runway Incursions
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), and Airports Council International (ACI) have launched a joint initiative aimed at dramatically reducing the risk of runway incursions. The alliance seeks to enhance operational safety in the movement area through advanced data management, the consolidation of local teams, and the standardized adoption of global best practices.
Risk Definition and Operational Context
In commercial aviation, a runway incursion is formally defined as any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.
Runway incursions continue to rank among the highest-severity risks to global operational safety. As highlighted in IATA Annual Safety Reports, several recent events have resulted in fatal consequences. Preventing these incidents requires close cross-sector coordination among airlines, airport operators, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), regulatory authorities, and frontline operational personnel.
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Three Pillars of the Joint Runway Safety Initiative
To address this issue from a comprehensive perspective, the initiative developed by IATA, CANSO, and ACI focuses its efforts on three core strategic pillars:
- Improved Safety Reporting and Data Capture: Optimization of reporting processes and technical data recording, including incidents, near-misses, precursor events, and direct observations provided by frontline personnel.
- Strengthening Local Runway Safety Teams (LRSTs): Consolidation of LRSTs as the primary governance forum where airlines, airports, and air navigation service providers evaluate infrastructure-specific risks and agree on coordinated action plans.
- Sharing Advances and Lessons Learned: Systematic transfer of knowledge and progress indicators to facilitate the widespread adoption of effective practices across airports and organizations operating in similar environments.
Integration of International Tools and Programs
This strategic alliance leverages existing global frameworks, such as the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI)—a collaborative effort led by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Eurocontrol, and the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), explicitly backed by IATA, ACI, and CANSO—as well as ICAO’s Global Runway Safety Action Plan.
The initiative will execute its objectives by deploying a standardized suite of specialized tools and resources developed by the three organizations:
| Organization / Program | Operational Resource or Tool |
|---|---|
| ACI World | Implementation Package for Runway Safety Teams, developed under the Airport Excellence (APEX in Safety) program. |
| ACI & CANSO | Co-developed Runway Safety Checklist for infrastructure and procedure assessment. |
| IATA | Runway Incursion Safety Risk Assessment. |
| IATA / GAPPRI | GAPPRI gap analysis tool for air operators. |
| IOSA Program | Assessment of airline risk analysis and mitigations through the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program. |
Industry Leadership Perspectives
“Flying is the safest way to travel long distances. Maintaining that record requires a relentless focus on continuous improvement, backed by global standards, safety data, and collaboration. This initiative brings together airlines, airports, and air navigation service providers to identify runway risks early and take coordinated action.”
— Nick Careen, Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety and Security, IATA.
“Runway safety relies on clear communication and coordinated decisions across the entire airport environment. Strong Local Runway Safety Teams bring controllers, airports, airlines, and other operational partners together to identify risks and agree on practical measures.”
— Andrea Sack, Senior Vice President of Global Operations, CANSO.
“Airports sit at the heart of this challenge, where all parts of the aviation system converge. Local knowledge and sustained collaboration are what transform safety guidelines into real risk reductions, and ACI is committed to supporting its members as they put these tools into operation.”
— Darryl Dowd, Vice President of Safety, Security and Operations, ACI World.
The launch of this joint initiative marks a significant milestone in the operational alignment of international commercial aviation.
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