CANSO, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, was presented with a major award for its contribution to the aviation industry. During events to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ‘Chicago Convention’ CANSO also signed an agreement on cyber security which will ensure a common and united approach to tackle this significant and evolving threat.

CANSO Director General, Jeff Poole, joined other aviation industry leaders at an event to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation in Chicago on 7 December 1944. The ‘Chicago Convention’ established a UN agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); obligations and rights of signatories in respect of air travel; as well as the rules and coordination of airspace.

Speaking at the event Poole said, “The Chicago Convention has provided the basis for the safest form of transport – air transport – over the past 70 years. While CANSO is much younger, founded in 1996, we are firmly established as the global voice of air traffic management (ATM). Our seat at the top table enables us to give vital input on ATM matters. We have developed a close working relationship with ICAO at all levels and in the important committees. We have the same goals, the same determination to make a difference and the strategies of the two organisations are closely aligned.”

CANSO’s significant contribution to the aviation industry was recognised by it receiving the Centennial Air Transport Award from Hermes Air Transport Club. Accepting the award on behalf of CANSO, Jeff Poole said “Air traffic management is often perceived as the invisible part of the aviation value chain. Our industry is responsible for the safe and efficient passage of aircraft. The Centennial Award is a great testament to CANSO’s efforts to improve efficiency and transform global ATM performance.”

During the commemorations, CANSO also signed a Statement of Cooperation on Cyber Security with ICAO, Airports Council International (ACI), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA), which draws together all elements of the aviation industry to ensure a shared vision, strategy and roadmap to tackle the cyber threat. Poole commented, “A high level of security is vital to ensure the safe operation of the air transport industry. The Statement of Cooperation ensures all parts of the industry and States work together to present a common and united front to tackle the significant and evolving cyber threats. CANSO already has a well developed cyber security programme and our recent publication, the CANSO Cyber Security Risk Assessment Guide, is an invaluable source of information and best practice on how best to manage the threat. We are delighted to share this expertise with other parts of the industry.”

The roadmap that accompanies the Statement of Cooperation contains a number of tasks, deliverables and timescales that support the development and promotion of a robust cyber security culture; the use of information security and cyber protection best practices in the industry; the sharing of information on threats and risks; and mechanisms that will strengthen government and industry coordination.

Poole concluded, “As we celebrate the first 100 years of aviation and 70 years of the ‘Chicago Convention’, CANSO enters the next century of aviation with a clear vision and goals; and a strong commitment to delivering the transformation of global ATM performance.”

(Resource: canso.org)