About the conference and 40th Session of Coordinative Advisory Aeromedical Council (CAAC)

On November 24, 2021, the Interstate Aviation Committee with the participation of ICAO, held a conference and 40th Session of Coordinative Advisory Aeromedical Council (CAAC) of the IAC related to the "Issues of civil aviation medical support, lessons and conclusions with respect to cooperation".

The main objective of the conference was to consolidate efforts of the professional community, legeslative and oversight authorities of the Member States of the Agreement in developing a unified strategy for establishing public health corridors (iPack), medical support and recovery of aircraft flights during COVID-19 pandemic.  

The issues of COVID-19 pandemic impact on international air transport activities, air transport of the States Parties to the Agreement, aviation and medical personnel of airlines, implementation of the Package (iPAck) to assist civil aviation authorities (CAA), public health authorities, other relevant national authorities, airport operators and aircraft operators in implementing public health corridors in accordance with the guidance materials of the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) were considered. The experience with the national aviation emergency plan and implementation of measures in preparation for an infectious desease outbreak were evaluated. The features of medical support and aviation personnel permission to work under pandemic conditions, implementation of the system for assessing state's civil aviation readiness, designated airports and providing them technical assistance within the framework of cooperation mechanism in civil aviation in the prevention and overcoming of threats to the population health (CAPSCA), conducting and features of aviation personnel examination and treatment during pandemic, observed effects, organization of the work schedule, psychological support and rehabilitations were considered. 

CAPSCA Regional coordinator of the ICAO European and North Atlantic Office, authorized representatives of Azerbaijan Republic, Republic of Armenia,  Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan Republic, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, leading airlines, scientific, educational and medical institutions of CIS took part in the conference and CAAC. 

The participants emphasized importance and significance of CAPSCA issues. Sarantis Polimenakos - CAPSCA Regional coordinator of the ICAO European and North Atlantic Office stressed that at this stage of the pandemic response, Council's Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) recommended that the CAPSCA States intensify the implementation of the concept of sanitary corridors to initiate a strong restart. The sanitary corridor concept is based on risk assessment approaches and takes into account relevant safety management principles, WHO recommendations and pandemic guidance materials from the aviation sector.

The Forum resulted in the adoption of Resolutions and the formation of a package of initiatives and measures to address the challenges under consideration, with communication to aviation authorities, public health authorities and other relevant national authorities.