Perhaps among many global crises, the Covid-19 pandemic is the one causina most disruptive impacts on the aviation industry. The most frightening time was not only the period when the disease was raging, but also when it just subsided and revealed the weakening of the world's aviation sector - an area that seemed to have been frozen throughout the pandemic. Providing that reviving the international aviation industry is a mutual responsibility for all stakeholders, including private flight operators, states, and many international organizations, the United Nations is no exception to this mission Notably, the contributions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in general and the  Council’s Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) in particular cannot be overlooked. Therefore, in the first issue of DAVSuky 2024, our readers should join DAVMUN to learn about CART in the process of reviving the international aviation industry!

 

        The Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) was established under the mandate of ICAO shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 in 2020. CART is a working group focused on a strategy to anticipate the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to ICAO, this group aims to “provide practical, aligned guidance to industry operators in order to restart the international air transport sector and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 on a coordinated global basis..”.

 

        With its mission of maintaining the crucial role of aviation in the fight against the pandemic during its peak and preparing for the restart of global aviation thereafter, the CART has developed and implemented a wide array of strategies to accelerate the process of "recovering” the international airline industry. 

 

        1. Under paramount concerns about  health, safety, and security of the traveling public, the CART held several webinars in June 2020 to discuss and issue the recovery Report, and the accompanying "Take-Off" Guidance. This is the Phase I in the work of CART. Having undergone a total of 3 phases, CART’s activities have been continuously reviewed and updated based on the evolving situation. The two following sequels of this work are respectively named CART Phase II and Phase III, which introduced High-Level Cover Documents (HLCD) built on the principles and guidelines for international aviation initially outlined in the CART Phase I, adjusted and incorporated additional recommendations to respond to the latest medical and operational advice. 

 

        2. The “Take-off” Guidance for Air Travel through the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis (TOGD) and COVID-19 Cross-border Risk Management Manual. 

The TOGD was provided within the CART while the Manual was developed by the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) in close collaboration with the CART.  

        The fourth edition of TOGD is the latest and fullest update of the work, providing States with a framework for addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation transportation system and includes a section on Public Health Risk Mitigation Measures. 

The Manual is updated by ICAO on an annual basis in accordance with the ever-evolving epidemiological situation, medical advancements, and feedback from Member States in cooperation with international and regional organizations. It offers the measures on testing, vaccination and other risk mitigation tools, which play a key role in completing the CART HLCD and TOGD. 

 

        In time, the pandemic has gradually receded. However, its profound impact has already reshaped the role of the aviation industry,  propelling this sector towards re-thinking their businesses, aiming for sustainable aviation development. Achieving this objective requires the sharing of experiences among States, enterprises and regulators within the industry, while strengthening multilateral cooperation, as well as efforts and commitments.

 

Author: 

Nguyen Van Anh, International Politics and Diplomatic Studies, intake 49,  DAV

Pham Thi Minh Hanh, International Politics and Diplomatic Studies, intake 50, DAV

 

Designer:

Kieu Bui Khanh Bang, International Politics and Diplomatic Studies, intake 50, DAV

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References: 

1. ICAO áp dụng phương thức phục hồi hàng không Covid-19 kết nối lại thế giới. Cục hàng không Việt Nam. 20/06/2020. https://caa.gov.vn/hoat-dong-nganh/icao-ap-dung-phuong-thuc-phuc-hoi-hang-khong-covid-19-ket-noi-lai-the-gioi-20200622100558177.htm 

2. ICAO Council's Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART). Skybary. https://skybrary.aero/articles/icao-councils-aviation-recovery-task-force-cart

3. “Introduction - General Context.” Www.icao.int, www.icao.int/covid/cart/Pages/Introduction---General-Context.aspx. Accessed 12, July 2024.

4. “Way-Forward.” Www.icao.int, www.icao.int/covid/cart/Pages/Way-Forward-III.aspx. Accessed 13 July 2024.

5. “Setting the Scene.” Www.icao.int, www.icao.int/covid/cart/Pages/SETTING-THE-SCENE.aspx.

6. “New and Updated Guidance.” Www.icao.int, www.icao.int/covid/cart/Pages/New-and-Updated-Guidance.aspx. Accessed 13 July 2024.

7. “Report on the Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART).” Www.icao.int,www.icao.int/Meetings/webinar-series/Pages/Report-on-the-Council-Aviation-Recovery-Task-Force-(CART).aspx. Accessed 16 July 2024.

8. ICAO.(2021). Doc 10152, Manual on Covid-19 Cross-border Risk Management, Third Editio 
    https://www.icao.int/covid/cart/Documents/10152_manual_3rd_edition.en.pdf