​2024 SYMPOSIUM ON ASSISTANCE TO AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES (AAAVF2024) 

PROGRAMME OUTLINE 

Aviation accidents have enormous human impacts on the international community especially on survivors and families of the victims. Victims and their families have immediate needs that require adequate emotional support as well as expeditious and expedient information. The facilitation of several practical arrangements to help the affected people to identify the right source of information, gain access to immediate financial compensation, transport and accommodation, or the collaboration with the authorities for the identification of victims, are some examples of essential issues that need to be addressed with due respect for the dignity and beliefs of those affected. Overall, the Symposium will address the following topics described below. 

Witness accounts: speaking from experience 

The symposium will provide an important platform for speakers representing aircraft accident victims and their families to share their experiences, highlighting the importance of emergency assistance as well as addressing the long-term needs of victims and their families. 

Setting the scene: review of ICAO rules and guidance material 

The symposium will offer an overview of relevant ICAO rules and guidance material such as the Annex 9 - Facilitation provisions, including the new Standard 8.46, the key elements of Assembly Resolution on assistance to victims A41-14 and the progress report on the implementation of Docs 9998 and 9973. It will also provide the status of implementation of the AAAVF2021 Recommendations as well as examples of implementation of the requirements in States and recent ICAO audits within the USOAP framework. In addition, the implementation experience of ICAO’s requirements in States will be discussed from different perspectives: victims’ associations, oversight authorities, airport operators, airlines and victim’s assistance representation bodies. Specific attention will be paid to the importance of training. The symposium will discuss the necessary steps for oversight of all Annex 9 requirements including s Standard 8.46. The implementation experience of ICAO’s requirements will be discussed from the perspective of implementing States, oversight authorities, airport operators, airlines and ICAO.

Aircraft accident assistance: exchange of best practices

The symposium will consider best practices from States, airports and airlines, presenting updates and sharing experiences. The session will focus on national aircraft accident family assistance plans implemented by States as comprehensive frameworks designed to provide crucial support and resources to the families of individuals affected by aviation accidents. It will also emphasize the importance of collaboration between airports and aircraft operators to ensure a coordinated and effective response, fostering solidarity and care within the aviation community. The symposium will explore the resources needed to ensure adequate assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families by discussing notably the solutions that can be put in place to achieve worldwide availability of such assistance. Putting in place and maintaining appropriate support systems calls for an expression of firm commitment and a long-term investment strategy from States and industry alike, given that the potential consequences are high even though the probability of having to deal with an aircraft accident is statistically low. Accident investigations – balancing information needs The symposium will focus on national aircraft accident family assistance plans implemented by States as comprehensive frameworks designed to provide crucial support and resources to the families of individuals affected by aviation incidents. It will explore the process of Disaster Victim identification (DVI) and aim to promote the sharing of best practices, based upon real cases. Such lessons learnt include how to secure and communicate accident information properly, both to the general public and to those most affected, and how to protect the integrity of the accident investigation process. The discussion will also address the need to reconcile the treatment of sensitive information with the right to access information, safeguard the privacy of victims and their families, and ensure the safety of the investigation.

Accident inverstigations - balancing information needs

The symposium will focus on national aircraft accident family assistance plans implemented by States as comprehensive frameworks designed to provide crucial support and resources to the families of individuals affected by aviation incidents. It will explore the process of Disaster Victim identification (DVI) and aim to promote the sharing of best practices, based upon real cases. Such lessons learnt include how to secure and communicate accident information properly, both to the general public and to those most affected, and how to protect the integrity of the accident investigation process. The discussion will also address the need to reconcile the treatment of sensitive information with the right to access information, safeguard the privacy of victims and their families, and ensure the safety of the investigation.

Insurance and compensation – Best practices 

The symposium will analyse existing international insurance regulations that cover airline liability in the event of an aircraft accident. It will also highlight the importance of ensuring fair compensation for victims while maintaining the stability of the civil aviation sector. In addition, there will be a global exchange of perspectives and best practices among States, airlines, and ICAO. The next steps will follow the recommendation of the AAAVF first symposium including promoting the ratification and implementation of the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, 1999 (Montreal Convention, 1999 – MC 99). 

Next steps and the future

The protection of passenger rights when they become victims of aircraft accidents must evolve in line with aviation challenges and as part of the sustainable development of air transport. Short and long term strategies should be established to ensure that all the aspects of this subject are addressed, and due respect given to victims and their families. Round table discussions led by experts will discuss the best way forward, ensuring that Member States are prepared for future challenges, and solutions are in place to address existing gaps and implementing a robust framework for the assistance to victims and their families. In all of its highly coordinated activities, ICAO stands ready to continue working with the broader aviation community and victims’ associations to achieve progress on this topic of utmost human and professional importance. Anyone boarding a flight could become the innocent victim of an aviation accident. Effective collaboration amongst all stakeholders will ensure that such tragic incidents are handled effectively anytime and anywhere they occur.