Aviation Sustainability and the Environment, CAPA 04-Mar-2020

Salvatore Sciacchitano inaugurates 219th Session of the ICAO Council as its new President

Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano opened the 219th ICAO Council session yesterday, his first as the new President of the UN aviation agency's Governing Body.

He expressed his gratitude for the support and trust that States had placed in him as Council President, and stressed his full commitment "to honoring this trust by ensuring that ICAO leadership effectively supports the safe, secure and sustainable development of international civil aviation, in a spirit of cooperation and consensus-building among all stakeholders."

The Council will be sitting through 20 March in order to review an ambitious agenda, a major highlight of which will be its discussions and expected agreement on the eligible emission units to be included under the ICAO CORSIA offsetting framework for international flights.

In addition to extensive topics regarding its oversight of the work programme and budgeting of the ICAO Secretariat, as assigned to ICAOby its Triennial Assembly, the Council will also be making use of its 219th sitting to review response measures taken by the aviation industry to deal with public health emergencies of international concern, and an update on ICAO coordination activities related to COVID-19 and its economic impact on civil aviation.

Sixteen amendments to existing standards to improve the safety, capacity and efficiency, and environmental performance of civil aviation will also be reviewed, as well as several developments relating to the actions to be undertaken in the aftermath of the accident involving Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 on 8 January of this year.

At yesterday's opening session, Mr. Sciacchitano recalled the moment of silence which had been held for the accident's victims during a Council briefing on the topic in its immediate aftermath, and drew attention to the fact that Council would shortly be reviewing "intiatives that could be taken by ICAO on risks to civil aviation arising from conflict zones."

In addition, he highlighted that Canada would presenting a new working paper to Council on Risks to civil aviation in conflict zones: a safer skies initiative and next steps for ICAO, noting that the Representatives of the Ukraine to ICAO would be present at that meeting as well.

South African Airways joins USAID ROUTES programme

South African Airways (SAA) announced (03-Mar-2020) it recently joined USAID's Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) programme.

SAA employees are being trained in methods to detect and report wildlife smugglers and their activities. [more - original PR]

Original report: Saa Joins Fight Against The Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

CIAL to continue to focus on the pursuit of essential ongoing objectives for community outcomes

Christchurch International Airport Limited reported (CIAL) (02-Mar-2020) the airport will continue to focus on the pursuit of essential ongoing objectives that will be important to the Council's documented community outcomes and the wider local community in general. Details include:

• Ensure effective stewardship of the city's airport asset, as well as create and maintain the airport environment;
• Ability to operate 24/7;
• Health and Safety as a priority with a commitment to a safe environment for all staff and airport users, as well as ensure staff engagement remains high:
• Minimise any adverse effects of CIAL's activities and facilities on the environment;
• Capital investment will continue to be carefully scrutinised to ensure investment is necessary. [more - original PR]

Excerpt from original report: Statement of Intent Year ending 30 June 2020

BEYOND CIAL

CIAL is aware of and acknowledges that Christchurch City Council has objectives regarding Community Outcomes under its Long-Term Plan and that the Crown also has objectives regarding Regional Economic Development under its national growth agenda.

CIAL's strategy is focused on more than just being an airport in Christchurch - our team is proud that what they do makes a difference to the social and economic contribution our Airport, our City and our Island make to New Zealand.

CIAL has played a significant role in supporting the tourism recovery of Christchurch, Kaikoura and the Upper South Island (in conjunction with the City and MBIE). CIAL has made significant contributions to the promotion of Christchurch and the South Island through its investment in ChristchurchNZ, the South initiative (all 15 regions of the South Island) and New Horizons (small business mentoring program)

CIAL is also active with the Chamber of Commerce in supporting work on the future of work places and with Missing Link as they introduce front line educators in Canterbury to issues such as disruptive technology and sustainability. In addition, CIAL also recognises the key role it plays in supporting the Christchurch Antarctic Gateway Strategy, and actively supports Antarctic entities at Christchurch Airport, most notably Antarctica New Zealand and the Antarctic Heritage Trust.

CIAL has partnered with BOMA New Zealand to create the Education Fellow program, funding 10 secondary teachers each year through a one year exponential technology in education development program. CIAL's philosophy in supporting wider community objectives is to try and have them link to a core strategy CIAL is activating within RG25.

As a commercial entity CIAL will always act and operate as a responsible corporate citizen, noting CIAL must compete for its outcomes, especially in aviation, in a highly competitive environment with several very strong commercial entities that have a purely commercial focus.

CIAL believes that the best way it can support both shareholders' strategies in these areas is by successfully executing its Real Growth 2025 strategy, which will not only deliver wide ranging social and economic benefits to the City and the regions of the South Island, but also grow both the value of CIAL and increase shareholder cash flows which will then be available for each shareholder for investment in specific areas of interest as they see fit.

In addition, CIAL will continue to focus on the pursuit of essential on-going objectives that will be important to the Council's documented Community Outcomes and the wider local community in general.

• Ensure effective stewardship of the City's airport asset, including meeting all relevant statutory obligations.
• Create and maintain an attractive and well-designed airport environment.
• To operate the airport and its various activities in a way that supports Christchurch's sustainable economic growth.
• Ability to operate 24/7 - The ability to operate under a 24/7 operating environment is essential to the financial and economic well-being of both CIAL and the regional economy.
• Health and Safety as a priority with a commitment to a safe environment for all staff and airport users.
• CIAL will continue to ensure staff engagement remains high and CIAL continues to be regarded as an employer of choice.
• Minimise any adverse effects of CIAL's activities and facilities on the environment (land, waste, water, energy, noise and emissions), to be a responsible corporate citizen and to maintain strong links and regard for the community.
• Capital investment will continue to be carefully scrutinised to ensure investment is necessary, having taken consideration of the prevailing economic environment and available financial resources.