Following last month's air disaster, over Ukrainian air space, BBC radio's James Coomarasamy, host of Newshour, got in touch with Management Science professor, Benny Mantin for a talk about the scrutiny airlines are under regarding their route planning and the economics behind it.
Dr. Mantin is an engineering faculty member who specializes in Operations Research in the Department of Management Sciences.
The discussion focussed mainly on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and their role in flight planning for civilian aircraft.
A United Nations Organization, the ICAO has traditionally worked to provide global meteorological information and flight standards to better support the growing global community and its air travel needs. Recently the ICAO held a forum in Montreal addressing risk assessment, types of risks and how best to provide the materials to key points of international aviation planning. Currently it is up to individual nations to assess and report the risks to civil authorities. With no standard assessment or mandated requirement, it can make it difficult for airlines to plan accordingly.
With Dr. Mantin's research in aviation economics he was able to provide a unique perspective on the role and expectations the ICAO has held in the past and possible future incentives for airlines and the passengers that fly with them.
Perhaps with the task force results and more relevant information available to the public, including the travellers and the insurance companies, the aviation industry will have a stronger motive when to developing their business plans for tomorrow.
Listen to Benny's full discussion with James on BBC Newshour at 26:25