Global aviation industry failing to prepare for future growth, Emirates airline boss says

The aviation industry needs to prepare for the future to address the expected higher levels of travel demand, climate change challenges and operational safety, Emirates airline president Tim Clark has said. Industry investment in air navigation systems, new technology, skilled aviation workers and infrastructure are inadequate, he said in a keynote speech on Tuesday at the International Air Transport Association's Safety Conference in Dubai. "These days a few things are keeping me awake and one of them is future readiness," Clark said. "Are we as an industry truly ready to tackle the next 20 to 30 years? I fear that what I’ve been seeing so far are signs of an industry failure to provide the right infrastructure for the future. And more worrying, a dearth of leadership. How can we operate safely if we are not investing in systems, in technologies, in people and in bricks-and-mortar infrastructure?" The aviation veteran lambasted plane-makers over repeated delays of aircraft deliveries as the airline steps up its operations to meet a surge of travel demand after bouncing back from the Covid-19 pandemic. "How can we be assured of safety when the biggest manufacturers in commercial aviation are failing to deliver aircraft programmes to the standards and timelines requested to replace ageing fleets? Where is the accountability and oversight from their senior managers?" Clark said.<br/>