On world Civil Aviation Day, UN agency calls for safer skies, more efficient procedures
With global air transport doubling in flight and passenger volumes every 15 years, the United Nations aviation agency today called for enhanced safety and efficiency to rule the world's skies.
“The air transport sector today stands on the cusp of a very important era in the history of international civil aviation,” UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council President Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu and ICAO Secretary General Fang Liu said in a joint statement on annual International Civil Aviation Day.
“The commitments and actions on behalf of world States and organizations toward modernized and expanded civil aviation infrastructure and capacities have never been more important.
“Under its 'No Country Left Behind' programme, ICAO is working with great determination today to raise global awareness on the fundamental importance of the effective implementation of ICAO Standards and Policies, which together support the enhanced safety, efficiency, security, economic development and environmental protection of the international aviation system.
“This is the most important and urgently required first step which must be undertaken if a State or Region hopes to improve its ability to access and realize the significant socio-economic benefits which derive from the availability of safe and reliable air services.”
The Montreal-based agency works with 191 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international standards, practices and policies for a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector, ensuring that ICAO Member States' local civil aviation operations and regulations conform to global norms.
This in turn permits more than 100,000 daily flights in civil aviation's global network to operate safely and reliably in every region of the world.
The ICAO Council has selected a new theme for International Civil Aviation Day for the years 2015-2018 inclusive: Working Together to Ensure No Country is Left Behind.