Manama, Feb. 14 (BNA): Bahrain’s exemplary national response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the aviation sector’s readiness for future health crises were highlighted during the tenth joint meeting of EUR/MID of the Middle East Regional Collaborative Arrangement for Prevention. Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA EUR-MID/10) and Aviation Medicine Workshop.
It was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time, and witnessed the participation of international, regional, and local organizations.
The Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), in coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, hosted the meeting that brought together aviation industry players from around the world to discuss improving emergency preparedness and response plans for the public. health events.
More than 50 CAPSCA partners and members attended, the meeting comes at a time when the global civil aviation industry is nearing recovery.
According to the latest industry forecast from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), worldwide passenger demand is expected to reach 85.5% of 2019 levels through 2023.
Mohammed Yousif Al-Binfalah, CEO of Bahrain International Airport Company, said: “In the event of an international outbreak of communicable diseases, the aviation sector can help by reducing the possibility of individuals infected with these diseases traveling outside the area of the outbreak.
Although it is not feasible to completely stop the spread of some diseases, being prepared in advance can help reduce the consequences. Thanks to close coordination between Bahrain International Airport, the National Coronavirus Action Team, and Civil Aviation Affairs, we were able to ensure the safety of passengers while continuing operations in the previous terminal and preparing for the transfer of operations to the new terminal.
The shared visions during this meeting will help ensure that the aviation ecosystem is as prepared as possible to protect public health, secure safe and economically viable air transport, with minimal impact on international travel and trade, and foster multi-sector collaboration and collaboration. “
Nicholas Rallow, Regional Director of the ICAO Europe and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) office, said: “ICAO would like to express its appreciation to Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs and the Bahrain Airport Commission for their outstanding efforts in organizing and facilitating this important event.
CAPSCA is a global initiative aimed at improving preparedness planning and response to public health events affecting the aviation sector, such as a pandemic or pandemic. Its main objective is to assist countries in implementing ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, and the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent the spread of disease by air and ensure the sustainability of travel, trade and tourism.”
Mohammed Abu Bakr Farea, Regional Director of the ICAO Middle East Office, said: “This edition included presentations by ICAO Middle East offices and EUR/NAT, allowing the two regions to exchange relevant information more easily. ICAO would like to thank Bahrain for hosting this important event and we look forward to more fruitful and successful meetings in the future.”
CAPSCA is a voluntary multisectoral cooperation programme, administered by the International Civil Aviation Organization with support from the World Health Organization. It brings together aviation stakeholders in the public and private sectors to ensure a coordinated approach to public health risks.
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