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Three hundred government and industry leaders from countries across the Asia-Pacific will gather in Singapore for an inaugural region-wide summit to discuss how to ensure aviation safety as the aviation sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added unprecedented challenges to aviation safety, including the availability and proficiency of skilled personnel, the airworthiness of aircraft returning to service from storage, familiarity with new procedures, and safety regime, culture and leadership in companies under financial pressure to ramp up service. Disruptive shifts in the aviation sector and the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned aviation systems, while creating exciting new opportunities, also pose unique safety risks.

The three-day Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS) will discuss these safety challenges, why and how safety incidents happen, and initiatives to strengthen aviation safety, including addressing human factors issues and leveraging operational data and technology. Keynote speakers include prominent international aviation experts such as Mr Stephen P. Creamer, Director of the Air Navigation Bureau at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr Christopher Hart, former U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman, and Mr Patrick Ky, Executive Director, European Union Aviation Safety Agency. For more details on these speakers, please refer to Annex 1. The inaugural summit, organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), will be held in Singapore at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, from 22 to 24 March 2023.

Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said: “Singapore is privileged and honoured to be able to develop, launch and co-organise this region-wide summit with Flight Safety Foundation. While countries have their own national regimes, aviation is cross-border, and airlines operate across national boundaries; region-wide cooperation is necessary to assure aviation safety. The summit is timely, as regulators, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, air navigation service providers, aerodrome operators and other aviation organisations grapple with safety challenges and incidents with air traffic volume returning to pre-pandemic levels. Our working together will help more effectively assure the travelling public of aviation safety.”

Dr Hassan Shahidi, President and CEO of Flight Safety Foundation, said: “We are very pleased that Steve Creamer, Chris Hart and Patrick Ky will deliver the AP-SAS keynote addresses. Their breadth of experience and in-depth knowledge of aviation safety issues give them unique perspectives on the industry’s challenges moving forward.”

For more information on the event programme and to register, visit flightsafety.org/ap-sas2023/.

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About Flight Safety Foundation
Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, international organization engaged in research, education, advocacy and communications to improve aviation safety. The Foundation’s mission is to connect, influence and lead global aviation safety.

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore’s success. CAAS’ roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg.

Media Contacts:
Frank Jackman
Director, Communications and Research
Flight Safety Foundation
+1 703.739.6700, ext. 116
jackman@flightsafety.org

Ms Violetta Wong
Assistant Director (Corporate Communications)
CAAS
violetta_wong@caas.gov.sg

Annex 1

Profile on Keynote Address Speakers

Keynote Address Speaker – Day 1

Mr Stephen P. Creamer
Director, Air Navigation Bureau, the International Civil Aviation Organization

Mr Steve Creamer has served as Director of the Air Navigation Bureau at ICAO since April 2015. Mr Creamer began his career in air traffic operations and is a private pilot. He previously held a number of executive and managerial positions at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and has over 33 years’ experience in the air traffic and international aviation organisations. Mr Creamer served as a member of the ICAO Air Navigation Commission as well.

At ICAO, he is responsible for delivery of safety and air navigation strategic outcomes, integrating security and environmental requirements into developing ICAO SARPs and PANS. During his tenure, ICAO has kept pace with industry developments using innovative and engaging symposia, specialized workgroups and now remote conferencing to help Member States and industry stakeholders tackle complex challenges like safe carriage of lithium batteries, safe digital connectivity of safety systems, new remote flying technology, enhanced runway safety procedures and enhanced aircraft tracking systems, among many others.

Keynote Address Speaker – Day 2

Mr Christopher Hart
Former Chairman, U.S. National Transportation Safety Board

Mr Christopher Hart was nominated by then-President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate to serve as National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman in March 2015. Prior to that, Mr Hart had served as board member and vice chair for several years. Since retiring from NTSB in 2018, he has led a number of prominent international safety reviews, including chairing the Joint Authorities Technical Review team established to review the type certification of the Boeing 737 MAX flight control system following two fatal MAX accidents. Mr Hart is an attorney, with degrees from Harvard and Princeton universities, and he is an active pilot with 3,000 hours. He has held various leadership positions within the transportation sector.

Keynote Address Speaker – Day 3

Mr Patrick Ky
Executive Director, European Union Aviation Safety Agency

Mr Patrick Ky is Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Since 2013, his mission has been to establish and maintain a robust and safe European aviation system for the travelling public.

Mr Ky has over 30 years of experience in civil aviation. Before joining EASA, he was in charge of SESAR, the single European sky digitalisation programme. He also held various positions in the French Civil Aviation Authority, EUROCONTROL and the European Commission.