International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Giovanni Bisignani has emphasized the importance of cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure that air transport continues to improve safety and environmental performance, and achieves financial sustainability.

"As the global recession continues to take its toll on the aviation industry, we face challenges on many of the industry's fundamental priorities, including safety and environment. The need for industry and government cooperation to address these has never been greater," said Bisignani.

"Safety is the industry's top priority and an excellent reminder of the power of ICAO/IATA cooperation to deliver impressive results," said Bisignani as the two organizations signed a commercial agreement to create web-based products to support the safe carriage of dangerous goods.

Two new products will be developed in partnership:

iShip is targeted especially at the shipping community. It integrates dangerous goods shipping tools with IATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations content. iShip will be available in the first half of 2010.

DGOnline will display, from any station computer or mobile device with Internet access, the latest information from leading dangerous goods regulatory and industry publications, including State and operator variations and updates, in multiple languages. It will be available before the end of this year.