UN aviation body said to be mulling over bigger role

[MONTREAL] Representatives to the UN civil aviation body are considering whether the agency should expand its role and issue safety advisories after a Malaysian airliner was shot down last week, two sources said on Tuesday.

But the sources said that there was no guarantee the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would decide to take on more responsibility.

ICAO, composed of 191 signatory states, as well as global industry and aviation organisations, has a limited role. It cannot open or close air routes and does not warn airlines to avoid regions because of conflict.