IATA signs agreement with Russian Association of Air Transport Operators

On the 20th anniversary of the International Air Transportation Association’s opening of their Moscow office, it has chosen this occasion to strengthen the relationship with Russian aviation through the further implementation of global standards and best practices.
According to IATA’s Director General and CEO, Tony Tyler: “A healthy aviation sector is vital for Russia – connecting the communities across the country’s vast land mass and proving vital trade and cultural links globally. These are difficult times for Russian aviation and there is no silver bullet solution to invigorating the sector. However, a partnership agenda that extends the positive impact that global standards are having in safety and distribution will strengthen the foundations of the sector for success.”
Tyler went on to say that: “IATA is a long-time partner of Russian aviation and this has created significant value. The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) aligns some 400 airlines—including our 11 Russian members and five other Russian airlines—with the global benchmark for operational safety. And the Billing and Settlement Plan has helped to link the country’s consumers to the world with global best practices for ticket distribution. Today we are deepening our partnership with Russia with a commitment to cooperate even more broadly with the Russian Association of Air Transport Operators. By working in partnership with all stakeholders—including the government—I am confident that we can create even more value with connectivity as a catalyst for economic and social development.”
Twenty years ago, Aeroflot became the first Russian carrier to sign up with IATA, while today there are 11 airlines, including Aeroflot, Air Bridge Cargo Airlines, Donavia, JSC Nordavia-RA, LLC “Nord Wind”, Orenair, Rossiya Airlines, S7 Airlines, Ural Airlines, UT Air and Volga-Dnepr Airlines.
The agreement focuses on three principal areas:
• The environment – Support the air transport industry’s aims to create a mandatory global carbon offset scheme.
• Improved regulation – Join the IATA and Airports Council International’s Smart Security initiative to ramp up airport security and adopt new technology to improve passenger experience though best practise. Improve safety and cost benefits while modernizing air traffic management systems by adopting global standards QNH and WGS 84. Ratify Montreal Protocol 2014 with respect to disruptive passengers. Adopt Montreal Convention 1999 (MC99) relating to providing a standard risk coverage for shippers and passengers, as well as facilitating e-cargo implementation.
• Costs – Understand the advantages of eliminating VAT for domestic air transport. Allow airlines and airports to focus on cost-efficiency by following principles agreed by governments through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).