The Air Crash Victims’ Families’ Federation International participated in the Global Implementation Support Symposium 2026, ACVFFI at GISS 2026, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization and held from 14 to 16 April in Marrakech, Morocco. The GISS brings together States, industry stakeholders and international organizations to strengthen the effective implementation of global aviation safety policies.
ACVFFI participates in this forum with the continued support of the Aviation Safety Foundation of Spain, whose backing enables the Federation to bring the voice of air crash victims and their families to international decision‑making spaces. This support reflects a shared commitment to promoting a safer, more responsible and, above all, more humane aviation system at global level.
A people‑centred approach to aviation safety.
ACVFFI took part in the GISS for the second consecutive year, following its participation in the 2025 edition held in Abu Dhabi. This continued presence reflects the Federation’s commitment to ensuring that the aviation policies that go beyond technical and economic criteria and take into account the real human impact of system failures. The Federation emphasizes that innovation, automation and technological progress must be accompanied by a strong safety culture and public policies that do not marginalize victims and families.
ACVFFI intervened in Panel 2: “Zero Fatalities: The Impossible Mission? Reimagining Safety and Security in the Age of Innovation”, contributing a critical perspective grounded in decades of experience supporting victims and their families. The Federation underlined that achieving the objective of zero fatalities will only be possible if it is backed by real commitments, sufficient investment in safety, and a genuine preventive safety culture that prioritizes human life.
ACVFFI representation at GISS 2026.
ACVFFI Chairwoman Pilar Vera was unable to attend GISS 2026 in person due to agenda commitments. Nevertheless, her message and the Federation’s institutional position were fully represented by Cristina Pérez Cottrell, who spoke on behalf of ACVFFI’s Chairwoman and conveyed the Federation’s reflections and proposals to ICAO.
Cristina Pérez Cottrell is a Boeing 787 Captain and Type Rating Instructor (TRI), with more than 39 years of professional experience and over 20,000 flight hours. She has a solid background in operational safety, crew training and accident investigation, and has served as a member of governing body of the Spanish Airline Pilots’ Association (COPAC).
The full video of her intervention is available below, where ACVFFI calls for the “zero fatalities” goal not to remain a strategic statement, but to be translated into concrete actions, sustained investment and a firm commitment to prevention and to people.
