AAPA, PAL Champion Aviation Safety at APASS 2025

Industry leaders unite at the Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025. From left: Capt. Jim Sydiongco, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports under the Department of Transportation; PAL President Richard Nuttall; Dr. Hassan Shahidi, President & CEO, Flight Safety Foundation; Tao Ma, Regional Director, International Civil Aviation Organization; AAPA Director General Subhas Menon; and Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario (Ret.), Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

AAPA, PAL Champion Aviation Safety at APASS 2025

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | October 1, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have successfully concluded the Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar (APASS) 2025 in Manila, reinforcing their commitment to collaborative safety initiatives across the region.

The two-day event, held at the Hilton Manila, convened aviation safety leaders, regulators, and industry experts under the theme “Safety Beyond Borders: Global Partnerships, Local Impact.”

“As the nation’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines has always placed safety at the core of its operations,” said PAL President Richard Nuttall.

“But as skies grow busier, technologies advance, and global complexities deepen, risks continue to evolve. Meeting these challenges requires airlines, regulators, suppliers, and the entire aviation ecosystem to work together for a safer future for the industry.”

Nuttall commended AAPA for spearheading the initiative and expressed PAL’s honor in hosting the gathering.

AAPA Director General Subhas Menon stressed the importance of safety in aviation, saying, “Safety remains the cornerstone of aviation.”

“The better we become at addressing any arising risk, the safer we become,” Menon said.

APASS 2025 featured a comprehensive program of breakout sessions, panel discussions, and collaborative exchanges.

Key topics included operational risk management, safety data analysis, and advancements in flight safety technologies, all aimed at fostering a proactive safety culture across the Asia Pacific region.

The seminar provided a vital platform for stakeholders to share best practices, address emerging challenges, and strengthen partnerships to enhance aviation safety standards.

PAL also hosted APASS in 2010.

“The collaborative spirit at APASS 2025 was truly inspiring,” said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

“The discussions and knowledge sharing will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more resilient aviation industry in the region,” Villaluna added.

About PAL

PAL is the Philippines’ flag carrier and only full-service network airline, as well as the first commercial airline in Asia. Its fleet of Boeing, Airbus, and De Havilland aircraft operates scheduled nonstop flights out of hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao to 31 destinations in the Philippines and 38 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.

Known for its hallmark heartwarming and gracious Filipino service, PAL also supports the global economy through air cargo and charter services while serving the travel needs of overseas Filipinos, as well as businesspeople, tourists, and families from all over the world.

About AAPA

The AAPA is the trade association for scheduled international airlines based in the Asia Pacific region.

The AAPA permanent secretariat is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with international representation in Brussels and Washington D.C.

Collectively, the region’s airlines represent over one-third of global passenger and air cargo traffic and thus play a leading role in the ongoing development of global aviation.