He said the International Air Transport Association could call an international conference to see what changes need to be made in the way the industry tackles regional instability.
In the Reuters interview Clark said he was incandescent with rage at the downing of the plane and said IATA and a United Nations body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, could take action.
Emirates operates near many of the world's troublespots and is now avoiding flying to the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. The airline said that "our flights to Kiev are suspended with immediate effect, till further notice".
The German airline Lufthansa supported a global summit.
However, Kevin Hiatt, senior vice-president, safety and flight operations for IATA has put the onus on governments.
"To assist in that process, we are working with ICAO in consultation with our members," he said.
"Once we are clear on the facts and we have expert analysis to guide us, the engagement will move to a higher level of global dialogue. What format that will take will need to first be informed by the findings."
IATA director-general Tony Tyler said news of potential progress on returning bodies to relatives and access for investigators was promising.
"But promises now need to be turned into reality with actions."
Tyler said the tragedy of MH17 was an outrage.
"Nobody should be shooting missiles at civilian aircraft - governments or separatists. Governments will need to take the lead in reviewing how airspace risk assessments are made.
"And the industry will do all that it can to support governments, through ICAO, in the difficult work that lies ahead."
A no-fly area declared in eastern Ukraine after the downing of MH17 is a rare restriction shared with rogue states like North Korea. While skies over troublespots like Libya and Syria are avoided by some airlines, official airspace closures are generally declared by the countries affected and limited to events such as the aftermath of volcanic eruptions.