The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called upon the member states to implement the first Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP).

Established by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), GASeP, seeks to address closer inter-government cooperation to eliminate the long-term challenges of extraterritorial measures.

GASeP also aims to address the universal application of global safety standards, improve sharing of information among governments and industries, as well as optimise implementation of new and existing technologies in the aviation sector.

“Governments must incorporate GASeP into their national plans and cooperate through ICAO to make sure that the global system works.”

IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said: “Flying is secure, but it is also clear that aviation faces security challenges.

“GASeP has the potential to strengthen security globally by providing governments with a global plan to which they can align their national efforts.

“The critical factor is implementation. It must be quick, comprehensive and global.”

In addition, GASeP creates a framework for states to include ICAO’s standards and recommended practices (SARPs) for aviation security, which is mentioned in Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention.

de Juniac added: “We have great expectations for GASeP. But states are sovereign and there is no global security regulator.

“So governments must fully feel the weight of their responsibility to protect the security of four billion travellers each year.

“To stay a step ahead of the threats, governments must incorporate GASeP into their national plans and cooperate through ICAO to make sure that the global system works.”

IATA currently represents around 275 airlines worldwide, comprising 83% of global air traffic.