AI is key to safer skies...

Held in Marrakech in October, the three-day event emphasised the importance of prioritising global standards, fostering a strong safety culture and leveraging data effectively, while ensuring human oversight remains at the core of operations.

The event confirmed that, despite an increasingly complex operating environment, more than 4.4 billion passengers flew safely in 2023. Africa accounted for around 161 million of those travellers and while the continent's aviation safety record has historically lagged behind global averages, recent improvements signal progress.

As the host of WSOC 2024, Royal Air Maroc CEO Abdelhamid Addou, highlighted Africa's pivotal role in achieving the industry's safety goals, noting the event's platform to address security and environmental concerns. Addou affirmed Royal Air Maroc's commitment to upholding industry-leading safety practices, emphasising emergency response preparedness, human factors management and accident prevention. The airline’s signing of the Safety Leadership Charter Declaration, he said, underscored its support for fostering a positive safety culture at all levels.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew stressed the importance of adopting new technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. AI has become integral to the airline's operations, particularly in “aircraft maintenance, revenue management and customer service”, he noted. AI also benefits weather forecasting and training, with Tasew emphasising the need for cost-effective, quality-assured training to maintain safe operations. Addou echoed this, advocating for the efficient use of AI and e-learning to streamline crew training without compromising quality or safety.

Beyond operational benefits, AI has also bolstered sustainability. Addou shared how Royal Air Maroc improved its fuel efficiency programme, “cutting carbon emissions by 20 per cent, and optimising flight routes using AI for safer and greener operations.”

Geopolitical risks were another focal point at the event, with IATA director general Willie Walsh addressing the impacts of tensions in the Middle East and the Ukraine war. “Airspace closures and GPS jamming as a result of unrest pose operational challenges,” he said, underscoring the need for global collaboration to mitigate risks.

A major development during the event was the launch of IATA Connect, a secure platform for aviation safety, security, compliance, and information sharing. It includes tools for accessing the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry, facilitating real-time collaboration and streamlined compliance efforts. With the registry acknowledged as a key tool for enhancing safety oversight, it was also noted that IOSA-registered airlines in Africa consistently outperform their non-IOSA counterparts in safety metrics.

The conference also saw the introduction of five principles for managing aircraft operational data (AOD), developed in collaboration with Airbus, Embraer, and Rolls-Royce. These principles aim to optimise the use of AOD for safer and more efficient operations, aligning airlines, manufacturers, and regulators under a shared framework.

Walsh concluded that for IATA, safety is a continuous journey, not a checkbox. By placing safety at the core of global aviation, the organisation aims to ensure passengers travel with confidence while empowering the global aviation sector to thrive as a driver of economic growth.

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), closed the event reaffirming that safety is fundamentally about people. "Our greatest asset is our workforce. Technology should supplement safety efforts, not supplant them," she said, praising the industry’s dedication to safety. She also highlighted that in 2023 globally there were just 1.87 accidents per million departures.

As Africa and the global aviation industry navigate ongoing challenges, WSOC 2024 concluded that the future of the sector will rely on seamlessly integrating technological advancements with human expertise to uphold and enhance safety.

The next WSOC will take place in Xiamen, China, from October 14–16, 2025.