The international aviation community recognises the value of collaboration in managing safety risk. The ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan’s principles provide a collaborative framework for government and industry stakeholders, with shared learning in safety management being one of the Plan’s core values. Interfaces are therefore an extension of ICAO principles having the potential to ensure that each organisation’s SMS processes are coordinated with those of other relevant service providers.

The sharing of safety information is one aspect of an interface that has been implemented at multiple levels. Industry associations and other groups of voluntary participants have successfully implemented programs that aggregate data from multiple sources, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Incident Data Exchange Program. These initiatives typically involve collaboration among similar aviation organisations, creating a pool of data capable of proactively identifying safety trends. Other initiatives have successfully fused data from multiple types of service providers, enabling holistic analyses of systemic safety issues. Examples include the use of data provided by air operators, aerodrome operators, and air traffic service providers to study and remediate risks associated with unstable approaches and other occurrences in the runway environment.

Information sharing has been a key factor in attaining aviation’s excellent safety record. Nonetheless, there are opportunities to extend this collaborative approach to other elements of the SMS Framework, and the benefits can be compelling. Comprehensive SMS interfaces have the potential to detect systemic safety trends and associated contributing factors in a more predictive manner. Attainment of these benefits requires additional time and effort by all parties involved. In addition, policies are required to ensure the appropriate use and protection of any data or information used to support interfacing Safety Management Systems.