The Kuala Lumpur-based Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is expected to drag the recovery of the aviation industry which is still reeling from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Subhas Menon, AAPA director general made the statement as he supported ICAO Council's stand on Ukraine's invasion condemning the violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a United Nations Member State, including its airspace, and noting that this is inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and Article 1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
"AAPA is gravely concerned about the conflict and developing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. AAPA fully supports the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council’s position on the issue of violation of the territorial integrity and airspace of Ukraine, which is inconsistent with the Chicago Convention and severely impinges on the safe conduct of civil aviation," Menon said.
The AAPA chief which represents 14 of Asia Pacific's major airlines said carriers in the region are being cautious in their operations near the conflict zones.
"AAPA airlines are taking precautions to avoid the conflict zones as recommended by international aeronautical authorities, as safety is the top consideration," Menon said.
"The uncertainty and re-routings caused by the conflict are expected to have a broader effect on overall traveler sentiment, while higher fuel prices will result in higher costs for an industry that is still reeling from the pandemic," he added.
Menon went on to caution against a possible repeat of the fateful downing of a civilian plane in 2014 — also over the now conflicting territories.
"Since 1945, civil aviation has served to promote global cooperation, peace, and friendship. This is much cherished by the global community, even as we recall with sadness the downing of flight MH17 and the tragic loss of innocent lives over Ukraine in 2014 as a result of military conflict in the region," the AAPA chief said.
"We must not allow such a disaster to happen again. Indeed, we cannot take the safety of civil aviation for granted and urge all stakeholders to work closely together to ensure the safety of airline operations in and around conflict zones."
