The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has announced that, acting on behalf of its members, it has agreed key principles for access to, and use of, aircraft operational data (AOD), with three major aerospace original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs). IATA’s partners in the agreement are two airliner OEMs, Europe-based Airbus and Brazil-based Embraer, and one aeroengine OEM, UK-based Rolls-Royce.

Modern airliners and aeroengines can monitor their own performance, as they fly, and transmit that data to ground stations operated by their OEMs. This is what is meant by AOD.

IATA and the three OEMs have agreed that access to and use of AOD must be governed by five principles – consent, transparency, sharing, accessibility and responsible use. 

Consent means that each and every airline must give written consent to the monitoring, recording and use of the AOD generated by their aircraft. Transparency means that the airlines must be able to see the AOD produced by their aircraft, and how this data is used. Sharing means that the airlines can choose which parties they share their AOD with, and have control over such sharing. Accessibility means that airlines have access to their AOD, and can analyse and use it, without any interference. And, responsible use means that airlines provide AOD to the OEMs to improve aviation safety and, if they desire, to increase aircraft reliability.

“These principles bring transparency to how AOD is used,” highlighted IATA director-general Willie Walsh. “Establishing that airlines are in control of the data generated by the aircraft they operate sets an important best practice in an area where a common understanding is needed. With this agreement, airlines, manufacturers and other interested parties will be able to more efficiently utilise AOD to operate and manage aircraft safely, efficiently and more sustainably. We look forward to other OEMs joining the early adopters in endorsing these commitments.”

The agreed principles apply once an airliner has been delivered to its airline or operator, and whether or not it is on the ground or in the air. The principles are subject to contractual agreements between parties and, of course, to regulations. IATA described the discussions between it and the OEMs as “collaborative” and “productive”. “Clarity on definition and use of AOD is important given AOD’s critical role in driving innovations in safety, maintenance and operational efficiencies,” the association pointed out.