Question Period Note: Ukrainian Airlines downing & Safer Skies Initiative

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-63-canadians-among-those-killed-after-ukrainian-airliner-crashes-in/

• Our thoughts continue to go out to all affected by the tragic downing of a Ukrainian Airlines aircraft that occurred on January 8th in Iran.
• The Department is committed to seeing that risks are properly mitigated when it comes to flight operations near conflict zones.
• Our Safer Skies initiative reflects our strong and dynamic commitment in that regard.
• As the downing occurred in Iran, the Iranian Civil Aviation Authority is the primary investigative body. Ukraine, France and the United States also have a role as Accredited Representatives.

If pressed

• TC remains vigilant and is monitoring the potential for military action in the various regions of the World. The Department is in communication with its air operators and is keeping them informed of any evolving situation.
• TC is developing a process to better inform its air operators regarding the risk of flight operations near or over conflict zones and the issuance of NOTAMs regarding foreign airspace.
• The NOTAMs will remain in place until such time as the Government of Canada deems it appropriate to revoke them or modify them, based on evidence and risk analysis.

If pressed – ICAO work and information sharing

• TC has engaged with its international partners in order to better mitigate the risk associated with flights near or over conflict zones.
• TC works very closely with Canadian air operators that fly abroad to ensure they are well informed and understand risks in foreign airspace.

• On January 3rd, A320 Cham Wings aircraft arrived at Baghdad International Airport at 7:32PM EST from Damascus. General Qassim Soleimani of the Irani Quds Force and other pro-Iranian paramilitary figures entered two vehicles and departed towards downtown Baghdad. Around 8:00PM EST, an MQ-9 Reaper drone launched several missiles, striking the convoy on Baghdad Airport Road and killing 10 people, including the General.
• TC advised Air Canada, the only Canadian airline operating in that area, of the escalating situation and continued close communication with the operator. On January 7, 2020 Air Canada adjusted their routes to avoid the area following the Iranian missile strikes in Iraq.
• On January 7th at 08:52pm EST, the Federal Aviation Administration issued NOTAMs outlining flight restrictions that prohibit U.S. civil aviation operators from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, and the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
• On January 7th, between 08:45 and 9:15pm EST, 16 ballistic missiles were fired towards Ayn al-Asad and Erbil Base. Iran claims responsibility for the attack as retaliation for the January 3rd drone strike by the US military. All American and coalition military personnel, including Canadian military personnel, were unharmed in the attack.
• Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 to Kyiv (UIA flight 752) was downed less than four minutes after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran on January 7th at 11:42PM EST by Iran's air defence.
• Data on the flightradar24.com website shows the plane taking off as normal, and rising to an altitude of 7,925 feet before the aircraft suddenly stopped broadcasting its coordinates.
• All 176 people aboard the flight are deceased, including 57 Canadians.

Transportation Safety Board (TSB) perspective

• The Canadian air accident investigation participation is through the independent Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
• In accordance with Annex 13, the TSB is in direct communication with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of the Islamic Republic of Iran and have inspected the accident site and the wreckage as an expert.
• Two TSB air accident investigators formed part of the Canadian delegation in Iran following the downing.
• The TSB is communicating and coordinating directly with participating accident investigation agencies from other countries as well as well.
• 2 TSB investigators spent 6 days in Tehran, followed by 2 days in Kyiv as part of the investigation.

TC current state of action

• As of January 8, 2020, 10:00am, TC has been fully engaged on this tragedy.
• On January 8, 2020, at 11:30am, TC received Aireon data for the flight and immediately started analyzing the data.
• A letter to the Director General of Civil Aviation's counterpart in Ukraine was sent on January 8, 2020, to offer technical assistance. A meeting occurred on January 11th between the DG of Civil Aviation and his counterpart in Ukraine to discuss next steps. The two authorities have continue to exchange information regularly.
• TC has sent a technical aviation expert to Ukraine to work directly with Canadian and Ukraine officials.
• We are also working with the International Civil Aviation Organization to arrange how the sharing of information will occur with Iranian authorities.
• On February 14, 2020, at the Munich Security Conference, the Prime Minister has announced the Canada ‘Safer Skies' initiative, and committed to work with international partners, including key countries, airlines, and the International Civil Aviation Organization to improve safety and airspace management around conflict zones.
• On January 10th, TC issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advising against entering Iranian and Iraqi airspace. No Canadian operators fly directly to the affected area.
• TC sent a Liaison Officer to Kyiv (Ukraine) from January 14 to 29 in order to support the Canadian Mission in Ukraine with their technical and aviation related questions.
• On February 9th, TC issued a NOTAM regarding the Syrian airspace, and on February 16th, a NOTAM regarding the Libyan airspace.

ICAO work and information sharing

• Upon invitation from Iran, ICAO has nominated a team of advisors to assist the investigation of the downing of Flight PS752.
• Following the investigation, ICAO has publicly committed to looking into its conflict zone guidance and compliance, using recommendations from the investigation and building on the work done by the ICAO Task Force on Risks to Civil Aviation arising from Conflict Zones, which was stood up following the downing of flight MH 17 in 2014.
• Transport Canada will continue working with Canadian operators to augment the process to fully inform risk assessments with more robust information sharing processes.

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