Given that most emergencies in commercial aviation occur at or near airports, airport emergency response plans (ERPs) are an important element in the aviation safety system. Effective emergency response planning requires that responsibilities be well-defined, that plans reflect the complexity of the airport operations and include a broad spectrum of stakeholders, that provisions are made for shifting from normal operations to emergency operations and back again, and that emergency preparedness is ensured by means of simulations.
To manage emergencies efficiently, an emergency response structure, in which everyone knows the leadership chain, must be in place at airports. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have issued manuals and documents to support airports, airlines and ground service providers in developing ERPs. In their development efforts, airport authorities reference the standards and recommendations of …
