The ITF demands an immediate end to attacks targeting civilian aviation infrastructure and personnel and full respect for international law.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is warning that the lives of more civil aviation workers may be lost unless attacks against airports in the Gulf states and Middle East are brought to an immediate end. Strikes on civilian aviation infrastructure constitute a serious breach of international law and have already injured civilian aviation workers and passengers.
Aviation workers in the region are currently operating under extraordinary pressure and at great risk while working around the clock to keep vital operations running, including facilitating evacuation flights to ensure the safe return of passengers stranded across the region. The ITF stands in full solidarity with its affiliated unions and aviation workers across the region who continue to perform their duties in extremely dangerous and uncertain conditions, and again calls on all parties to respect international law and pursue an immediate end to the war and a return to diplomatic solutions.
"Aviation workers are heroes, acting for others when crisis hits – each and every time our colleagues rush to help whether they’re on the ground or in the air,” said Sara Nelson, ITF Civil Aviation Section Chair. "But this man made crisis is intolerable and must stop.
Nelson continued: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with aviation workers across the region who are keeping airports operating, assisting passengers and ensuring flights can continue safely in incredibly difficult circumstances. Their professionalism and courage are keeping people safe – but their dedication must be matched by the highest standards of safety protection. Governments must ensure aviation workers and passengers are never placed in harm’s way.
“We must be vigilant given the heightened risk to aviation workers and we must ensure that no corners are cut on safety, with every passenger and worker knowing that they can return home safely. This is critical for confidence in air travel, for the worldwide economy, and for any credibility of a government claiming to fight for their people. Immediate ceasefire, diplomacy, and commitment to peace is the only way forward for any nation that claims to care for its own people.”
The impact of the conflict is also being felt far beyond the immediate war zone. Aviation workers across the world are dealing with the knock-on effects as airlines scramble to respond to rapidly changing security threats, closed airspace, rerouting of flights and major operational disruption: from flight crews facing longer routes and extended duty times, to ground staff and air traffic controllers managing complex operational changes, workers throughout aviation are carrying the burden of this crisis.
ITF-affiliated unions in civil aviation collectively represent more than three million workers, spanning pilots, cabin crew, ground handling workers, air traffic controllers and air traffic management staff.
The ITF and its affiliated civil aviation unions stand united in demanding that airports, aircraft, and aviation workers – all part of critical civilian infrastructure – must never be targets of military action. The safety of passengers and the workers who keep aviation moving, must remain the overriding priority at all times.
Image credit: REUTERS
