On the webinar “Preparation and implementation of a plan for COVID-19 vaccines delivery by air”

         On 1-2 February 2021 the webinar “Preparation and Implementation of a Plan for the Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccines by Air Transport” was held by the Interstate Aviation Committee jointly with ICAO within the framework of the ICAO/IAC Project “Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness" in the Member States of the Agreement.

         The participants of the virtual workshop included more than 150 aviation specialists from 19 states of our region, Europe, USA and Canada, the leadership and leading specialists from the CAAs, airlines, airports, air navigation services of the region, as well as from a number of international organizations.

            During the webinar reports from the experts of ICAO, ICAO EUR/NAT Office, IAC and IATA representatives, from the leading specialists of the UNEGE, WCO, LACAC, GEA, representatives of the Sheremetyevo-Moscow-Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding were presented.

        The presentations covered the following topics:

-         Aviation security and facilitation of vaccine delivery procedures;

-         ANS aspects of vaccine delivery (ATFM exemptions for critical flights involving vaccine transportation);

-         Implementation of electronic document management for cargo declarations and the need to modernize national legislation;

-         ICAO interaction with experts from international organizations to facilitate the transportation of vaccines and medical supplies;

-         ICAO-UNECE cooperation on supply chain digitalization in support of the UN response to COVID-19;

-         Security and transportation of dangerous goods;

-         Examples of the development and implementation of a plan for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines by air;

-         Presentations of the representatives of the CAAs of the States of the region.

         Webinar participants expressed keen interest in the practical experience of the 7th freedom of movement for cargo transportation, as well as the possibilities of digitalization and the use of data protection technologies in air transportation, including the transportation of vaccines.

         Webinar participants noted the uniqueness of its topic, the relevance and structure of the materials, and the high significance of the issues raised for resuming air cargo transportation amid the pandemic and lack of shipping containers. They emphasized that only the consolidated efforts of the entire aviation community, with the support of state authorities, will restore air cargo transportation, which is vital for transporting vaccines needed to stop COVID-19 pandemic.