AFA Leads International Push for Peer and Fatigue Programs
October 17, 2025 - Earlier this month, AFA joined our international aviation siblings in Montreal, Canada, for the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. The ICAO is a United Nations specialized regulatory agency for civil aviation, and our presence at the Assembly ensures that Flight Attendant and worker voices are represented in shaping the future of aviation globally.
Working with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Flight Attendants, Pilots, and Air Traffic Controllers submitted a series of proposals to keep worker issues front and center throughout the Assembly. AFA President Sara Nelson serves as the ITF Civil Aviation Section Chair, representing more than a million aviation workers worldwide. AFA EAP Director Heather Healy provided expert assistance in shaping our worker proposal for peer support guidelines, approved at the ICAO Assembly unanimously.
Across the board, our proposals received broad support from the ICAO Assembly, demonstrating a growing recognition among Member States that workers’ voices and priorities must shape the future of aviation. The agenda comes at a crucial moment. The industry is grappling with technological transformation – from automation to the rise of drones – while simultaneously facing pressure to deliver on ICAO’s ambitious environmental and safety targets. For workers, these shifts bring both risks and opportunities – but they must not come at the expense of decent work, strong labor standards, or safe operations.
Promotion of Peer Support Programs in Civil Aviation encourages the development of peer support for professionals performing safety-critical functions (fostering collaboration, developing guidance documents). Read more.
The Assembly recognized Fatigue Management as an essential element for safety, directs the Assembly to update ICAO DOC 9966 (Manual for the Oversight of Fatigue Management Approaches), and to recognize the need for resources and a solid knowledge base on fatigue. Read more.
Our work at the assembly reflects our commitment to raising the standards for our careers — not just in the United States, but around the world, too.
