Air Transport

Transport Canada says it is studying the potential of  "emerging technologies" to minimise aircraft damage and injuries in the event of a runway overrun. 

Two potential subjects for examination, says the department, are runway-end arrester beds and high density foam fire extinguishant.  

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has also called upon upon the Canadian government to review rules that prevent fire fighters from rescuing passengers from aircraft.

Current Canadian Aviation Regulations do not require airport fire fighters to have the ability to rescue trapped passengers, therefore the majority of Canada's airports do not provide the resources necessary for the task.

The IAFF's assistant to the general president for Canadian operations, Jim Lee, said: "If your house was on fire, you'd expect fire fighters to do more than hose down the sidewalk and wait for you to rescue yourself.

"But in an aircraft accident, that's the level of protection that airports are required to provide. It's not enough, and if passengers and crew are trapped and injured, in most cases there will be no one there to rescue them as the plane burns."  

Click here to view blogs on the Air France AF358 accident.