IATA Pushes Safety, Sustainability and Standards at ICAO’s 42nd Assembly

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has outlined an ambitious agenda for the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), taking place in Montreal from 23 September to 3 October 2025. With 14 working papers submitted, IATA is calling on states to strengthen global standards for aviation, ensure sustainability goals are met, and protect passenger trust through harmonized policies.

A Crucial Assembly for Global Aviation

The ICAO Assembly, which convenes every three years, provides governments with an opportunity to set the agenda for global civil aviation. Decisions taken during this period will directly influence how airlines, regulators, and industry partners navigate challenges ranging from climate change to safety risks and consumer expectations.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, emphasized the urgency of collective action: “It is critical that we secure stronger support for SAF production and CORSIA as key enablers of aviation’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Equally, we need agreement to avoid patchworks of debilitating tax measures and passenger rights regulations. And we must shore up safety with timely accident reports, mitigations for GNSS interference and preservation of critical radio-frequency spectrum.”

Sustainability: SAF and CORSIA at the Forefront

Aviation’s pathway to net zero emissions by 2050 hinges on the rapid scaling of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). IATA is asking states to:

• Support economic incentives for SAF production.

• Build functioning SAF markets.

• Avoid premature mandates that could inflate fuel prices without supply expansion.

IATA also reiterated that CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), agreed in 2016, must remain the sole global economic measure for emissions. Yet, with only Guyana issuing eligible emissions units so far, IATA is pressing governments to provide sufficient CORSIA-compliant credits while resisting overlapping national and regional taxes.

Defending Global Standards on Tax and Consumer Protection

IATA raised alarm over recent revisions to the UN Model Tax Treaty, which would allow countries to shift from residence-based taxation to source-based taxation for airlines. The association warns this could trigger double taxation, disrupt air service agreements, and increase administrative burdens without generating significant revenue.

On consumer protection, IATA called for states to align with ICAO’s Core Principles, rather than creating fragmented regulations that confuse travelers and unfairly burden airlines. It urged governments to agree on definitions of “extraordinary circumstances” and to share accountability for disruptions across the aviation ecosystem.

Safety Priorities: Accident Reports, GNSS Interference and Spectrum Protection

Safety remains at the heart of IATA’s submissions. Key priorities include:

• Timely accident reports: Only 57% of accidents between 2018 and 2023 had final reports published, undermining industry learning. IATA calls for states to meet ICAO’s Annex 13 obligations.

• GNSS interference: Jamming and spoofing incidents near conflict zones are on the rise. IATA advocates better coordination between military and civil aviation authorities, improved detection systems, and cyber-hardening strategies.

• Radio spectrum protection: Aviation requires the 4.2–4.4 GHz band for radio altimeters, but 5G rollouts in countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada have raised interference concerns. IATA seeks stronger safeguards, coordinated regulation, and realistic retrofit timelines.

Aircraft Mandates and Pilot Age Limits

IATA has also called for more realistic timelines on aircraft mandates, noting that supply chain constraints and certification delays often undermine harmonization and delay safety benefits.

Another key proposal is to raise the pilot retirement age for multi-pilot international flights from 65 to 67. This change, combined with stronger medical oversight and safeguards such as the “one under 65” rule in cockpits, would reflect longer, healthier pilot careers while maintaining safety standards.

A Shared Global Agenda

For Walsh, the Assembly is a test of international cooperation: “Everybody wants flying to be safe, efficient, and more sustainable. Many of our submissions are simply asking governments to implement what they have already agreed. The coming weeks in Montreal are essential to set the agenda, but the following three years of work will be even more important.”

With sustainability, efficiency, and safety at stake, IATA’s agenda underscores the importance of global alignment. The outcomes of ICAO’s 42nd Assembly will shape not just aviation’s immediate recovery but also its long-term trajectory toward a greener and more resilient future.