World Pilots’ Day is celebrated every year on April 26th. In 2014 the day was first commemorated by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) to recognize the many contributions of pilots who safely connect millions of passengers around the world every year.  ICAO also celebrates the crucial importance of pilots’ contributions to the sustainability of aviation and our long-standing relationship with IFALPA. IFALPA is the global voice of pilots. An international not-for-profit organization, IFALPA represents more than 120,000 pilots in over 70 countries. The ..read more

Every year on April 22nd, ICAO joins the global community in celebrating Earth Day. This year, the theme of Earth Day is “Planet vs. Plastics,” highlighting the health and environmental hazards posed by plastic around the world. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in oceans and landfills. This plastic enters different ecosystems and food chains, harms wildlife, and pollutes our environment. Plastic pollution has become a global crisis and is now more than ever a problem that calls for international cooperation and global actions from all sectors. Actions from all sectors ..read more

For several decades, international civil aviation has had to overcome challenges and demonstrate its ability to withstand major shocks and disruptions. This was made possible thanks to the commitment of aviation professionals across the globe, who developed and implemented processes and technical solutions to enhance the resilience of the sector. When there are disruptions to global operations the challengers are system-wide. Measures to build and strengthen resilience in aviation have to support ICAO’s Strategic Objectives in Safety, Air Navigation Capacity and Efficiency, Security & Fac ..read more

Europe is playing a crucial role in accelerating progress towards the global net zero carbon emission objectives adopted by ICAO, and the region’s leadership in the sustainable development of civil aviation could further be heightened by deepening and broadening its support for ICAO’s decarbonization, air transport liberalization and digitalization efforts. This was ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar’s key message to the region’s aviation leaders, which he delivered at a series of bilateral meetings in Belgium and the “Europe’s Flight Plan to a Sustainable Future” conference, which wa ..read more

The aviation industry serves as a vital catalyst for global socio-economic growth, driving employment, tourism, international trade, and investment. In this fast-paced sector, informed decision-making is paramount. Having access to reliable data is essential for making informed decisions, controlling costs, mitigating risks, and benchmarking performance. For more than a decade, we have been sharing access to snapshots and analysis of economic and aviation indicators through the ICAO Monthly Monitor. This year, we launched an enhanced ICAO Monthly Monitor tool that provides stakeholders who ar ..read more

At ICAO we set the standards for aviation safety and security that States are required to establish and enforce as national rules. Additionally, we bring together States to draft and adopt international treaties on issues of global concern such as dealing with unruly and disruptive conduct on board aircraft. ICAO is not an aviation regulator or international law enforcement authority. In response to the increase in incidents of unruly passenger behavior on international flights being reported by regulators and airlines, ICAO issued an urgent call to Member States to fast-track the ratificati ..read more

Unmanned aviation brings many unique opportunities – to transport cargo, deliver life-saving materials, monitor wildlife, support disaster management, inspect infrastructure and more – but it also brings unique challenges.   With the technologies supporting unmanned aviation evolving so rapidly, it is imperative that there is the safe, secure, and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft in the global aviation system. ICAO has adopted new aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that will enhance safety and accelerate the transformation of the global air navigation sys ..read more

We live in a time of incredible technological innovation and digitization.  Many aspects of our daily lives have been successfully digitized.  Take the way we exchange and spend money. Though there was a time when we hid cash in our mattresses, in many parts of the world today, it’s actually quicker and easier to exchange money electronically. When it comes to crossing a border, why are we still so dependent on traditional paper documents to identify ourselves?  Why do we still need to pull out our passport books? A Digital Travel Credential (DTC) is a travel credential ..read more

Briefing the ICAO Council on 21 March 2024, global aviation leaders underscored ICAO’s key role in leading the crosscutting cooperation needed to deliver a sustainable future centered around innovation and resilience. An in-depth look into the industry’s post-pandemic resurgence and the strategic moves required to achieve a net zero future was provided by the heads of Airports Council International (ACI), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations ..read more

The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, honoring a leader in global aviation safety. Presented annually, this Award recognizes notable achievements in the field of civil or military aviation safety in method, design, invention, study, or other improvements. It will be presented during the 77th Annual International Air Safety Summit which will take place from 5-7 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo by Dane Penland, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This medal was the gift of Lynn Douglas M ..read more