Safety and Security

Built through experience, collaboration, and trust

about Safety and Security

Aviation is one of the most complex systems in the world, and one of the safest. That safety is built through international standards informed by operational experience.

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) represents the voice of pilots in safety and security fora, both at global and regional levels. Through IFALPA, pilots contribute their operational expertise to international decision making, ensuring that aviation standards continuously improve and reflect best practices, for the protection of crews and the traveling public.

From the Flight Deck to Global Standards

Aviation safety benefits most when operational insight flows through every level of the system: Pilots contribute front line experience to their operators, improving procedures, training, and risk management.

Pilot associations aggregate that experience nationally, providing educated input to regulators and aviation authorities.

IFALPA brings this consolidated operational insight at both the regional and international level, ensuring pilot expertise informs the development of global standards and their implementation.

These international standards are then adopted by national authorities around the world, strengthening safety and security across the aviation industry. 

This continuous loop, from daily operations to global policy and back, helps ensure that aviation standards work in practice and improve operations worldwide.

A Trusted Voice in International Aviation

At the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), IFALPA serves as a trusted advisor, ensuring pilot expertise is represented where global aviation standards are discussed, drafted, finalized, endorsed and implemented. Through this extensive technical work, in close cooperation with other industry stakeholders, IFALPA provides both presence and impact, helping ensure that international safety and security standards reflect daily operations, as seen from the flight deck.

what we do

Focus Areas

Positive Safety Culture

IFALPA calls for non-punitive, open, and learning oriented safety cultures where pilots can report hazards and contribute to safety improvement without fear of unfair reprisals.
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Fatigue Management

IFALPA advocates for science based fatigue management systems that recognize human limitations, protect pilots’ ability to operate safely in demanding environments, and are implemented consistently worldwide.
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GNSS RFI and Conflict Zones

IFALPA calls for robust international coordination to mitigate GNSS interference and address the risks of flying into and over conflict zones, ensuring that pilots receive timely and reliable information to feed their decision-making process.
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Peer Support & Mental Health

IFALPA fully supports peer support programs that promote mental wellbeing while maintaining aviation safety and professional responsibility.
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Artificial Intelligence

IFALPA emphasizes that artificial intelligence in aviation must enhance safety, transparency, and human decision making, with pilots remaining integral to oversight and accountability.
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Lithium Battery Incidents

IFALPA supports strengthened global measures to prevent, detect, and manage lithium battery fire risks to protect aircraft, crews, and passengers.
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The Future of ATM

IFALPA advocates for the safe introduction of air traffic management innovations that are human centred, interoperable, and supported by appropriate training and validation.
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Runway Safety

IFALPA promotes coordinated international action to reduce runway incursions and excursions through improved design, procedures, technology, and pilot training.
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Cyber Security Threats in Aviation

IFALPA supports a holistic approach to aviation cybersecurity that safeguards aircraft systems and operational integrity while ensuring pilots are informed and prepared.
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New Pilot Training Initiatives

IFALPA supports high quality, evidence based pilot training that builds competence, resilience, and sound decision making throughout a pilot’s career.
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Protection of Flight Data

IFALPA advocates for the protection of flight data to ensure it is used exclusively for safety improvement and not for punitive purposes.
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Unruly Passengers

IFALPA supports strong international measures such as the worldwide adoption of the Montreal Protocol to prevent / address unruly behaviour, protect the safety and security of crews and passengers and guarantee the authority of the pilot-in-command.
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Operational Expertise That Strengthens the System

From the ground to the flight deck, pilots form an essential part of the global aviation system through their direct interaction with other key stakeholders such as air traffic control and airport operators. Pilots have a unique understanding of the human role in aviation, and can provide a crucial operational input into policies, procedures and decisions agreed within the aviation industry.

This holistic understanding enables pilots to:
• Identify operational risks and unintended consequences
• Provide practical context to complex safety and security issues
• Contribute insights that complement technical and regulatory expertise

By bringing operational expertise into the decision-making process, pilots help make standards more effective, resilient, and applicable across diverse and sometimes challenging aviation operations worldwide.