Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI)
Runway incursions are among the most persistent threats to aviation safety. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) places runway incursions among the five highest-risk categories of events that must be addressed to reduce the possibility of aviation fatalities. The potential consequences of a runway incursion are severe, especially if that incursion ends in a collision. As air traffic operations increase, the risk of runway incursions also is likely to increase unless new safety defenses are implemented.
Runway incursion risks include a complex combination of factors that can only be addressed through a collaborative approach involving aircraft operators, air navigation service providers, airports and regulators. All of these stakeholders have been involved in developing the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI), with more than 200 aviation experts from 80 organizations around the world working together to develop the initiative.
The findings and recommendations in Part I of the GAPPRI report are based on an analysis of multiple global and regional datasets, combined with insights garnered from operational expertise. This strategy extended beyond the study of only hazardous events; the recommendations incorporate lessons from all operations – operations in which everything goes right as well as those in which something goes wrong.
Part II provides provides explanatory and guidance material, and related best practices for the recommendations listed in this document. The guidance and explanatory material (GEM) are provided as appendices to this document.
GAPPRI is intended to serve as a roadmap for addressing risk and instilling resilience, enabling government and industry not only to cope with increases in traffic but also to be proactive in anticipating and addressing problems. Its recommendations include immediate and near-term actions to mitigate the serious incidents studied, and also future solutions involving introduction of new technologies that are in the development pipeline for deployment in the medium time horizon. GAPRRI also identifies research and development investments with potential high-risk mitigation benefits that would be mature for deployment in the longer-term time horizon.
Please click here or on the image above to download the report.
Runway Incursion Risk and Resilience Assessment (RIRRA) NEW!
The Runway Incursion Risk and Resilience Assessment (RIRRA) is a structured, scenario-based methodology developed within the framework of GAPPRI. It enables aerodrome-level risk and resilience assessments through a modular suite of tools — the RIRRA Canvas, RIRRA Index, and RIRRA Shift — supporting reactive, proactive, and predictive safety management. RIRRA transforms operational insight into actionable intelligence, helping organizations identify and prioritize runway incursion risk scenarios; understand local operational pressures and safety barrier effectiveness; quantify changes in risk and resilience over time or under future conditions; and, support safety management system functions, oversight, and strategic planning.
This document introduces the RIRRA concept and methodology, outlining the three tools used across reactive, proactive, and predictive applications. It also provides case studies that demonstrate how these tools are applied in practice. Click here to download the document.
Runway Incursion Classification Algorithm (RICA)
The Foundation’s Runway Incursion Classification Algorithm (RICA) is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s definition of a runway incursion and the guidance provide in GAPPRI Appendix G. The user can employ this algorithm to determine whether an event at a controlled airport qualifies as a runway incursion.
The algorithm generates a certificate of proposed event qualification, which is also based on specific information and criteria provided by the user. This suggested event qualification should be reviewed and interpreted within the user’s local context.
The RICA tool is hosted on SKYbary.aero and can be accessed by clicking here.