Aircraft Operational Data

Q: Q1: If one of the parties considers some of the AOD to be sensitive data, should the principles apply?

The Definition section specifies – see Note 4 in Statement of Principles and Best Practices Regarding Aircraft Operational Data (AOD) – that AOD may include a data subset categorized as “sensitive” by Operators or OEMs. Consequently, since the five principles established in the Statement are applicable to all and any AOD – see the Scope section - they should apply as well to the data categorized as sensitive by the parties. The Statement specifies nevertheless - in the same Note 4 - that the principles of Accessibility and Sharing may be subject to specific provisions in the case of “sensitive data”, provided that such provisions are contractually agreed between the parties. While implementing the above, it is important to understand that: the “sensitive data” categorization is equally available to both parties (i.e. Operator and OEM), and the one initiating such categorization must support the “sensitive data” eligibility with the adequate rationale – see the last bullet point in Note 4 of the Definition section; the application of principle of Consent to “sensitive data” requires the Operator’s consent for extraction of such data from the aircraft; the application of principle of Transparency to “sensitive data” requires the Operator’s awareness of and visibility over such data;

Q: Q2: When one of the parties considers some of the AOD to be sensitive, does the party have the right to restrict access to and/or use of sensitive data?

The “sensitive data” categorization of a data subset of the AOD is possible at the initiative of any of the contractual parties if such categorization is supported by an explicit rationale and the two (i.e. categorization and rationale) are contractually documented by the parties – see Note 4. Restrictions regarding access to and/or use of “sensitive data” could be implemented only as contractually defined application of the principles of Accessibility and Sharing – see Note 4. Such restrictions should not lead to abdication from the principle of Consent and the principle of Transparency - see the Q1 and its answer.

Aircraft Operational Data (AOD) is crucial for airlines to effectively manage their operations. The increasing complexity of modern aircraft, along with advances in technology, has made airlines highly dependent on AOD. This dependence requires a solid foundation of principles and best practices (pdf) to ensure fair access and use of this data for everyone involved.

IATA is working to create a standard approach to AOD, supported by airlines and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

This approach is based on five key principles:

Consent: AOD can only be extracted from an Aircraft with the prior and written consent of the Operator of that Aircraft.
Transparency: Operators are provided by the OEMs with the necessary documentation to be aware of and have visibility over the AOD generated from or by their own Aircraft and its usage.
Sharing: Operators can control the transfer to any parties (e.g. own systems, OEMs, third-party providers, subcontractors, etc.) of AOD generated from or by the Aircraft they operate, subject to regulations and to contractual agreements between the parties.
Accessibility: Operators can get access to, hold, analyze, use, and derive data and information from AOD generated from or by the Aircraft they operate. AOD is provided in the format generated by the Aircraft without interference or hindrance by any party, consistent with this paragraph. This includes that required documentation has to be made available in a structured digital format that supports scalable data processing.
Responsible Use: Operators have a responsibility to provide AOD to OEMs for the purposes of improving safety and, at the Operators’ discretion and subject to terms, for supporting Aircraft/component/fleet reliability.

More on Aircraft Operational Data

Read the full Statement of Principles and Best Practices Regarding Aircraft Operational Data (AOD) (pdf).

Aviation Entities in Support of the Statement of Principles and Best Practices regarding Aircraft Operational Data (AOD)

FAQs related to Aircraft Operational Data

Q1: If one of the parties considers some of the AOD to be sensitive data, should the principles apply?

The Definition section specifies – see Note 4 in Statement of Principles and Best Practices Regarding Aircraft Operational Data (AOD) – that AOD may include a data subset categorized as “sensitive” by Operators or OEMs. Consequently, since the five principles established in the Statement are applicable to all and any AOD – see the Scope section - they should apply as well to the data categorized as sensitive by the parties. The Statement specifies nevertheless - in the same Note 4 - that the principles of Accessibility and Sharing may be subject to specific provisions in the case of “sensitive data”, provided that such provisions are contractually agreed between the parties.

While implementing the above, it is important to understand that:

the “sensitive data” categorization is equally available to both parties (i.e. Operator and OEM), and the one initiating such categorization must support the “sensitive data” eligibility with the adequate rationale – see the last bullet point in Note 4 of the Definition section;
the application of principle of Consent to “sensitive data” requires the Operator’s consent for extraction of such data from the aircraft;
the application of principle of Transparency to “sensitive data” requires the Operator’s awareness of and visibility over such data;

Q2: When one of the parties considers some of the AOD to be sensitive, does the party have the right to restrict access to and/or use of sensitive data?

The “sensitive data” categorization of a data subset of the AOD is possible at the initiative of any of the contractual parties if such categorization is supported by an explicit rationale and the two (i.e. categorization and rationale) are contractually documented by the parties – see Note 4. Restrictions regarding access to and/or use of “sensitive data” could be implemented only as contractually defined application of the principles of Accessibility and Sharing – see Note 4. Such restrictions should not lead to abdication from the principle of Consent and the principle of Transparency - see the Q1 and its answer.