IATA director general and chief executive Alexandre de Juniac has warned that governments must resist the “forces of protectionism” and work together to streamline security arrangements.
Delivering his keynote speech during the IATA World Air Transport Summit in Sydney, he highlighted the threat of a looming trade war, tariffs and other geopolitical risks were at risk of undermining the positive role that airlines play in the world.
“We are at a juncture. Facts show that aviation has created immense value by bringing people, products and business together. And ultimately, I believe the enormous benefits of globalisation will guide us forward.”
He reiterated IATA’s long-held mantra of “aviation is the business of freedom”, and espoused the hard work done by airlines to become the facilitator of “more inclusive globalisation.”
De Juniac also called on governments to work together to create common standards around aviation security, and build stronger trust between the security arrangements of different nations.
“One-stop security is a good example of the progress we are aiming for,” he says, noting that travellers from the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Europe are experiencing benefits of moving to a risk-based approach to passenger screening at transfer points.
De Juniac adds that advances in blockchain technology, biometrics and decentralised digital identity would make one-stop security “more compelling.”
Source: Cirium Dashboard
