The World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) is taking place in Hanoi from September 19 to 21 with the theme “Leadership in Action: Driving Safer and More Efficient Operations”.

Organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and hosted by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, the inaugural event will bring together over 800 guests, including cutting-edge leaders of airlines and international organizations.

Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang emphasized that the Vietnamese Government pays special attention to the aviation industry, considering it one of the driving forces of the economy, especially in trade and investment promotion and tourism development. The government also attaches importance to building the image of Vietnamese airlines in a safe and friendly manner, worthy of being messengers of Vietnamese culture, people, and country.

“Safety is aviation’s highest priority, and this is reflected in the high level of government participation and the fact that safety professionals from approximately 100 airlines, aviation regulators, aircraft manufacturers, and other safety stakeholders are in attendance,” said Mr. Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “With its location in the heart of Asia and strong economic growth, Vietnam provides an ideal venue for the WSOC. We are excited to have Vietnam Airlines, which has a growing route network connecting the region and the globe, as our host airline.”

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang said Vietnam’s aviation industry has achieved positive results in terms of safe operations, highlighted by 25 consecutive years without any commercial aviation accidents in the context of continuous double-digit growth. Vietnam’s civil aviation has been granted a Category 1 rating by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Vietnamese airlines are all assessed by the IATA and granted IATA Operational Safety Audit certificates.

“We constantly strive to ensure that Vietnam Airlines’ passengers and crews always travel on absolutely safe flights,” said Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines. “The selection of Vietnam Airlines as this year’s host airline has shown the international community’s trust in our level of safety and operational efficiency, as well as that of the entire Vietnamese aviation industry.”

At the Conference, Vietnam Airlines and IATA signed the Charter on Safety Culture, and developed dialogue content with airline leaders, aviation authorities, and leaders of State management agencies. Discussions revolved around the topic of building an aviation safety culture.

Vietnam Airlines is a carrier with a high level of control and safety, according to IATA, by continuously maintaining the tenth IOSA operational safety certification for almost two decades since becoming a member of IATA. Vietnam Airlines achieves a proactive level of 4.0 on a scale of 5 for safety culture and has been rated a maximum of 7/7 by Airlines Rating for safety level. Participating in the Global Aviation Safety and Operations Conference 2023 as a host is considered an opportunity for Vietnam Airlines to highlight and raise awareness of the special importance of ensuring safe operations.