Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and Their Families

From June 16 to 18, Italy hosted the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Working Group on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and Their Families (AAAVF) at Milan Bergamo Airport.

The event was made possible thanks to the collaboration between ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority), the Comitato 8 Ottobre 2001, and Milan Bergamo Aiport. Experts from around the world – including authorities, the aviation industry, and family associations – gathered to continue the revision of the international regulatory framework and to identify best practices for effective assistance programs in the event of an air accident.

The session opened with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of Air India flight AI 171, followed by official greetings from Dr. Roberta Carli (ENAC), Eng. Amelia Corti (SACBO), and Dr. Adele Scarani Pesapane, President of the Committee.

In her brief address, Adele reaffirmed that the Committee has always placed Aviation Safety and, even more so, “Family Assistance” at the heart of its mission. She emphasized that, while acknowledging that accidents can occur, it is crucial for every component of the system to be ready to respond promptly and in a coordinated manner, ensuring that all actors know how to intervene and can operate in full synergy as parts of a single, efficient mechanism.

The proceedings, moderated by Dr. Fabiola Cardea (ENAC) and Lorenzo Mantegazza (Comitato 8 ottobre / SACBO), facilitated the exchange of experiences and the development of shared guidelines. The outcomes will be presented at the next ICAO General Assembly in September.

The meeting concluded with a visit to the memorial “Il Bosco dei Faggi” in Forlanini Park, Milan, in remembrance of the victims of October 8, 2001 – a moment of deep humanity that reaffirms Italy’s and the Committee’s ongoing commitment to strengthening international policies for assisting aircraft accident victims and their families with compassion and expertise.