Wednesday 7th December is International Civil Aviation Day! This day was founded by ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization.
What does the International Civil Aviation Organization do?
According to the ICAO: "ICAO is funded and directed by 193 national governments to support their diplomacy and cooperation in air transport as signatory states to the Chicago Convention (1944)."
Its main function is to support diplomatic interactions between different countries regarding air transport, and also to research into new air transport policies and methods of standardisation across different nations.
Whenever a new industry standard is brought about and agreed upon, he 193 countries who fund and direct ICAO then adopt these standards so that all countries are aligned. This means ICAO's work contributes to safe and reliable air transport all over the world.
"In addition to these core diplomatic and research capabilities, ICAO also conducts educational outreach, develops coalitions, and conducts auditing, training, and capacity building activities worldwide." - ICAO
What is the Chicago Convention?
The Chicago Convention (formally known as the Convention on International Civil Aviation) was signed on 7th December 1944 by 52 countries. Out of this Convention came the first incarnation of what a couple of years later would become ICAO, a UN agency dedicated to aviation.
Here is ICAO's founding purpose from the year it was created:
"WHEREAS the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, yet its abuse can become a threat to the general security; and
WHEREAS it is desirable to avoid friction and to promote that co-operation between nations and peoples upon which the peace of the world depends;
THEREFORE, the undersigned governments having agreed on certain principles and arrangements in order that international civil aviation may be developed in a safe and orderly manner and that international air transport services may be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically;
Have accordingly concluded this Convention to that end."
What is this year's theme?
Every 5 years on the anniversary years of ICAO, a new theme is decided for International Civil Aviation Day. The next anniversary year will be 2024.
On the years in between the anniversary years, a single theme covers all 4 of these years. The current theme is “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”.
On this year's #FlyDay, ICAO will be celebrating all the ways that new innovations are helping the aviation industry move forward into the future where sustainability and new technologies are of huge importance!
"As the UN and world nations have now adopted Agenda 2030, and embarked on a new era in global sustainable development, the importance of aviation as an engine of global connectivity has never been more relevant to the Chicago Convention’s objectives to look to international flight as a fundamental enabler of global peace and prosperity." - ICAO
Where can I learn more?
Firstly, take a look at the ICAO's website to learn more about the origins and goals of #FlyDay.
Make sure you're following ICAO on social media to keep up with important updates from the industry.
Don't forget to keep an eye on the latest career opportunities on Aviation Job Search.
