The International Air Transport Association (IATA) together with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Commission of the European Union (EU), has signed a Declaration of Intent to exchange safety data.

“Today’s milestone agreement marks the first time the global aviation community has come together to work on a global safety information exchange. Data must drive our actions so that we can focus our joint efforts on reducing the greatest risks,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO. The four organisations will now start work on a way to standardise safety audit information and ensure compliance with local privacy laws and policies. This is targeted to be completed within 12 to 18 months.