The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shared the theme for the 2024 World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) – Embracing Innovation and Technology for Safe and Efficient Operations. Hosted by Royal Air Maroc, the event will take place from 1 – 3 October 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex operational environment, marked by growing challenges such as regional conflicts, cyber security threats, and extreme weather events, Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said WSOC 2024 presents a timely opportunity for industry leaders and experts to convene and “to share knowledge and experience to make the industry even more resilient and robust”.
Abdelhamid ADDOU, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Royal Air Maroc said with safety as the foundation and top priority in aviation, Royal Air Maroc is taking this oportunity as hosts on WSOC to contribute to improving industry performance while at the same time improving their own safety efforts as they work towards reaching a fleet of 200 aircraft by 2037.
Speakers
Willie Walsh and Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Operations, Safety and Security will be speaking at the event along with:
•Mesfin Tasew Bekele, CEO, Ethiopian Airlines
•Marc Parent, CEO, CAE
•Michele Merkle, Director, ICAO Air Navigation Bureau
•Yannick Malinge, Senior Vice President, Head of Aviation Safety, Airbus
•Lacey Pittman, Vice President, Safety Management System, The Boeing Company
•Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair
•Elmarie Marais, Chief Executive Officer, GoCrisis
Four session tracks will address Safety, Cabin Operations, Flight Operations and Crisis Management.
Topics
•Risk-Based IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)
•Safety Leadership and the IATA Safety Leadership Charter
•Runway Safety
•AI to improve use of data and resilience
•Accident Investigations
•Cabin Safety
•Passenger Safety Communications
•Digitalisation and Aircraft Maintenance
•Crisis Management and Family Assistance Planning
•Geopolitical Risks: Cybersecurity Impact
•Regional aircraft operations
Workshops
The WSOC programme will be complemented by a series of workshops, including:
•ATM Performance Workshop focusing on enhancing operational efficiency in Air Traffic Management (ATM) as a key contributor to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, offering short-term efficiency improvements.
•How Just Should Your ‘Just Culture’ Be? workshop examining the true value of a Just Culture beyond regulatory compliance, focusing on its role in generating valuable data for risk management, reducing losses, and fostering a motivated workforce.
•The Power of Connecting the Dots across Airline Safety and Operations – Agility, Efficiency, and Peak Performance workshop will emphasise the significant value of integrating operations and safety to enhance overall performance and safety outcomes.
•Turbulence Aware Workshop will explore how IATA’s Turbulence Aware programme is revolutionising airline turbulence management and fuel efficiency by utilising real-time, aircraft-generated EDR data to accurately display the location and intensity of turbulence.
See here for more information on the three-day program and speakers.
