The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA)

08/11/2026

What does a Positive Safety Culture look like?
It’s what happens when people speak up and know they’ll be heard.

That idea was front and center as IFALPA President Capt. Ron Hay joined aviation safety leaders at the Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS) in Osaka, Japan, hosted by Flight Safety Foundation under the theme “Achieving Safety Excellence: Collaborate, Reinforce, Transform.”

As part of the Summit, Capt. Hay took part in a featured discussion on safety culture and a fireside chat with Mark Searle, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Global Director of Safey, exploring what it really takes to create an environment where people feel safe to speak up.

As Capt. Hay explained: “There has to be trust in the system. Management needs to trust that employees are reporting valid concerns, and employees need to trust that the response of management will be constructive, not punitive.” For IFALPA, Positive Safety Culture starts with the simple, powerful idea that all parties need to feel safe to share what they see.

When pilots and other safety-critical professionals can report mistakes, hazards, and concerns without fear, organisations gain a vital view of what is happening on the frontline, and this information can help identify risks before they become incidents.

Building trust takes all sides of the aviation system: pilots, operators, and regulators working together, each bringing their perspective and expertise to the safety conversation.

Positive Safety Culture is a global goal, but its implementation must reflect the unique context and culture of each operating environment. That’s why it remains a key focus for IFALPA.

07/29/2026

IFALPA warmly welcomes the nomination of Saadia Zahidi as the next Director General of IATA. As the first woman nominated to lead IATA, Zahidi’s appointment also sends a powerful message to the next generation of global aviation leadership.

IFALPA and IATA have long maintained a constructive relationship rooted in a shared commitment to advancing aviation safety, strengthening global standards, and promoting sustainability in the aviation industry.

We look forward to continuing this important collaboration, working together with IATA and the wider aviation community to keep our industry safe, resilient, inclusive, and connected.

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

07/28/2026

GENDER PARITY IN AVIATION IS A SAFETY IMPERATIVE
**ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit, Angola**

When more women can enter, stay, and advance in aviation, especially in technical and leadership roles, the whole industry benefits from a wider range of experience and a more resilient safety culture.

That is why IFALPA continues to advocate for gender parity across the profession: because safer skies depend on systems that attract and retain the best talent from everywhere.

IFALPA Representatives attended the ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2026 in Angola last week. The Summit brought the global aviation community together to move beyond commitments and focus on measurable, practical progress.

The main ongoing challenges are recruitment, retention, and advancement. Each one of these elements influences the next. Women are entering aviation, but too many still leave before reaching leadership roles.

For pilots, this matters. Clear pathways, inclusive workplaces, and strong data help build a profession where every pilot can develop confidently and help strengthen safety for everyone. Men also have an important role to play as allies and sponsors, helping challenge barriers and support a culture where all talent can thrive.

Through its Women Pilots Committee, IFALPA also participated in the development of ICAO’s upcoming Mainstreaming Women’s Participation and Advancement Toolkit, designed to help close the gap between ambition and implementation.

Gender parity is really about building the safest, strongest, and most sustainable future for everyone in aviation.

Learn more: www.ifalpa.org/women-pilots/

07/14/2026

Security Bulletin Update | Papua Region, Indonesia

In 2023, IFALPA highlighted the serious security risks facing civil aviation operations in Indonesia's Papua Region. Unfortunately, this is not an historical issue, but an ongoing and escalating concern.

IFALPA continues to support our Member Association, Ikatan Pilot Indonesia (IPI), in calling for stronger measures to protect civil aviation operations. While some operators have suspended services into the mountainous and remote areas of Papua, crews continuing to operate there are strongly advised to conduct thorough risk assessments, take additional security precautions, and minimise time spent on the ground.

The safety and security of flight crews and passengers must remain a priority.

Read the full Security Bulletin here: https://tinyurl.com/y53xjn54

Security Bulletin: IFALPA is concerned about the ongoing security issues faced by commercial aircraft and crews operating in the Papua Region of Indonesia, as

07/10/2026

What does IFALPA do?
What does it mean to be the global voice of pilots?

We work to advance aviation safety, influence international standards, strengthen the piloting profession, and support our Member Associations around the world, but what does that look like?

Our new website brings it all together. Explore the new www.ifalpa.org: discover how pilots help shape global aviation policy, learn about our advocacy and training programmes, and access our latest publications and news.

Whether you're a pilot, regulator, industry partner, or simply interested in the piloting profession, our digital home offers you a new view of who we are, what we do, and why it matters.

Get to know us: www.ifalpa.org

06/09/2026

IFALPA Briefing Leaflet: Problematic Substance Use Testing

Aviation safety depends on robust, evidence-based policies. When problematic substance use testing is implemented, it must be conducted in a manner that is accurate, reliable, fair, and respectful of individual rights.

IFALPA's Briefing Leaflet on Problematic Substance Use Testing outlines principles and best practices for testing programs across a range of contexts, including pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and random testing.

Testing schemes should support safety objectives while safeguarding confidentiality, dignity, and due process. Testing alone is not enough. Effective policies must also include pathways for early identification, reporting, treatment, and recovery, fostering an environment where pilots can seek assistance before safety is compromised.

As Member Associations engage with regulators, operators, and other stakeholders, this leaflet provides a framework for advocating high standards in the design and implementation of testing programs worldwide.
Safety is strengthened not only through accountability, but through policies that are scientifically sound, proportionate, and focused on both prevention and support.

Read the Briefing and learn more - https://www.ifalpa.org/publications/problematic-substance-use-testing/

06/05/2026

HIV is no longer the condition it was decades ago. Advances in treatment have transformed it into a well-managed chronic condition for many people.

However, pilots living with HIV still face regulatory barriers and inconsistent certification requirements, this along with the stigma of their health status may affect their ability to enter or continue an aviation career.

Our new Position Paper, Flying with HIV, highlights the need for aviation medical policies to align with contemporary medical evidence. Evidence-based regulation supports both fairness and safety.

Read the Position Paper to learn more - https://www.ifalpa.org/publications/flying-with-hiv/

06/01/2026

Aviation is strongest when it attracts, retains, and develops talent from the widest possible pool. Inclusivity will strengthen the future safety, resilience, and sustainability of the global aviation industry.

The IFALPA Women Pilots’ Committee gathered in Lima, Peru, last week, generously hosted by SIPLAP. The meeting opened with the symposium “Shaping an Inclusive Industry for the Next Generation,” bringing together leaders from across aviation, including Peru’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Paola Marin Ugarte, representatives from regional ICAO and ILO offices, and student pilots preparing to enter the profession.

Over the following days, under the leadership of Chair Julia Ho, the Committee continued its work to advance practical initiatives that support pilots throughout their careers.

Discussions included benchmarking employment benefits and retirement options across airlines, preparing contributions to upcoming ICAO events, and identifying areas for future work focused on pilot wellbeing and understanding where women leave the aviation career pathway.

The Committee was also encouraged by growing engagement from Member Associations across the region, with representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Panama, and Peru contributing to the discussions.

05/29/2026

As aviation faces growing operational complexity and technological change, collaboration between pilots, regulators, ANSPs, airports, and the entire global aviation community is essential to maintaining the highest safety standards.

The IFALPA Air Traffic Services Committee plays a key role in ensuring that the operational expertise of pilots is represented in these important discussions.

Another successful ATS meeting concluded in Singapore yesterday. Over three days of intensive discussions, the Committee addressed agenda topics including an ICAO ANC briefing and overview, updates from major ICAO panels such as ATMOPS, SASP, and OPDLWG, and global initiatives such as the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Airborne Conflict (GAPPAC).

The Committee also progressed important technical work on 5G/6G spectrum interference and aircraft resilience, GNSS radio frequency interference (RFI), and the ongoing development of RNP VPT procedures. Further discussions covered reduced runway separation, Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM), and collaboration with EUROCONTROL and ICAO working groups on performance-based navigation (PBN).

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to ALPA Singapore for being such a wonderful host, and to IATA for generously providing their facilities. A special appreciation goes to Shane Ngai for his exceptional support and commitment.

We are also grateful for the warm welcome and insightful presentation by Mr. Tan Lye Teck, EVP of Changi Airport Group, which provided valuable perspectives on airport operations and future developments.

A highlight of the meeting was the visit to Seletar Airport Tower, where participants received a fascinating historical overview and a firsthand look at tower operations.

Thank you to all members for their continued engagement and contributions toward enhancing the safety and efficiency of global air traffic services.

05/08/2026

---Standing in Solidarity with SNA Brazil---

Our Member Association in Brazil, Sindicato Nacional dos Aeronautas (SNA), has launched the campaign: “For the Right to Fly Safely – Against the Collapse of the Brazilian Air Transport System.”

The campaign raises urgent concerns about:
- Proposed legislation that would allow foreign crews to operate cabotage flights in Brazil
- Increasingly exhausting working conditions for pilots and cabin crew
- Lack of progress on fatigue management regulations
- Delays to legislation addressing retirement protections for aviation crews facing unique physiological and health risks
- Fatigue, regulatory instability, and precarious working conditions are not just labour issues, they are aviation safety issues.

SNA is calling on all IFALPA Member Associations and aviation professionals worldwide to stand in solidarity by:
📩 Sending letters of support
🎥 Recording short video messages supporting safe operations, protected crews, and strong aviation regulations - Please see the full request for more details - https://tinyurl.com/yc8y4jny

Together, we must continue advocating for safe, sustainable, and properly regulated aviation systems for crews and passengers alike.

🔗https://tinyurl.com/yc8y4jny