ICAO calls for more crash victim, family support

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is urging governments and air transport partners worldwide to accelerate the implementation of comprehensive support systems for air crash victims and their families and to implement recent enhancements to ICAO’s accident investigation standards. In a statement marking International Day Commemorating Air Crash Victims and Their Families, ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma underscored the need for urgent and collaborative action, rooted in compassion and responsibility, to reach all those affected by aviation accidents: “On this day, we turn our thoughts to those who have lost their lives in air accidents, their families and all those who have been affected. We also recognize our collective responsibility to support them. Accident victims and advocates have helped improve support programmes and aviation safety. Today, we see better communication, improved assistance, and stronger investigations designed to prevent future tragedies.  Now, the international community must act urgently to deliver better support for air crash victims and their families. The unanimous Resolution adopted at the 42nd Session of ICAO’s Assembly last year provides clear and urgent guidance for the international community to do more. The Resolution calls on all States and partners to establish strong national systems for assistance to victims and families, to strengthen monitoring and compliance with international standards, and to remain prepared in today’s rapidly evolving aviation environment. Across the world, governments are responding to the call to action. ICAO is standing with its Member States, raising awareness and offering tools, training, and guidance to help ensure that practical assistance reaches those who need it most. The international community must build an air transport system more deeply rooted in care, responsibility, and trust.” Following the unanimous adoption of ICAO Assembly Resolution A42-15, ICAO has set clear expectations for every State and operator to adopt effective family assistance plans. This includes the prompt and respectful treatment of families at every stage, from the immediate aftermath of an accident to the provision of long-term care and support networks. The Assembly Resolution further emphasizes the necessity of timely notification for families, the accurate recovery and identification of victims, and the implementation of modern legal frameworks, seamless information-sharing, and mechanisms for advance financial support when tragedy occurs. ICAO continues to guide Member States’ enhancement of their national legislation, regulations and policies. A fully binding standard in Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation now requires every State to legislate clear and enforceable support for families. These efforts are complemented by improvements to investigation systems, which now require faster release of preliminary information, plain language in reporting, and meaningful opportunities for families’ voices to be considered throughout the investigative process. Recent ICAO symposia, most notably those held in 2021 and 2024, have placed family representatives, psychological experts, and industry leaders together at the same table, leading to new forms of support and the identification of best practices across jurisdictions. These forums have spurred major advances, including harmonized compensation regimens, psychological and trauma care guidance, and the integration of family needs into national aviation preparedness planning. ICAO has made the expansion of technical assistance, capacity building, and international awareness a top priority for the next triennium. Dedicated workshops, practical manuals, and tailored training courses are now available to help every State to deliver dignified and coordinated support to victims and families. ICAO is also actively encouraging the ratification of the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (Montreal Convention, 1999), which currently has 143 parties and forms the backbone of a modern, global legal framework for air carriers’ liability and compensation for victims and families. By supporting wider accession to this Convention, ICAO is helping advance the rights of victims and their families. The Organization is reinforcing the audit and monitoring processes that help States pinpoint gaps and drive improvements. Tools such as the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme and electronic filing systems for compliance have increased both transparency and accountability, making it easier to track progress and share lessons learned. ICAO’s commitment extends to regions facing elevated risk, including those impacted by conflict, where enhanced information-sharing and new initiatives such as “Safer Skies” provide additional layers of protection for passengers and crew. Looking ahead, ICAO is cultivating a truly safety-centric culture across global aviation. Airlines, airports, and authorities are encouraged to prioritise empathy, transparency, and direct support for families as fundamental building blocks of aviation safety. Every lesson learned is promptly circulated worldwide, allowing States and operators to benefit from evolving best practices and innovative solutions. As the ICAO Council President has made clear, the time to act is now. ICAO stands with air crash victims, their families, and all those whose lives are touched by aviation tragedies. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]