The United Nations (UN) International Civil Aviation Day is observed annually on December 7 worldwide to raise awareness about international civil aviation and the role of aviation in the social and economic development of the nation.
- The day also highlights the role of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN Specialised agency in helping countries to cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.
- 7th December 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation in Chicago, United States.
Theme:
The theme of International Civil Aviation Day 2024 is “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future: Together for the next 80 years”.
- Every 5 years, coinciding with ICAO anniversaries (2014,2019,2024,2029/etc.), the ICAO Council establishes a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day. The council representatives select a single theme for the full 4 years between these anniversary years.
Background:
i.International Civil Aviation Day was 1st celebrated in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Convention.
ii.In 1996, under an ICAO initiative and with the assistance of the Canadian Government, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/51/33 and proclaimed the 7th December of every year as International Civil Aviation Day.
ICAO:
i.In 1944, the United States of America (USA) invited delegates from 54 nations to Chicago, USA where they concluded and signed the Convention on International Civil Aviation also called the ‘Chicago Convention’.
ii.ICAO has set the standards that have enabled the industry to thrive while championing socio-economic progress, gender equality, and a culture of innovation.
iii.On celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention, ICAO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to reducing aviation’s carbon footprint, with the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Key Points
i.In September 2024, ICAO 1st Advanced Air Mobility Symposium (AAM 2024) was held in Montréal, Canada under the theme “Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Global Harmonization and Interoperability: Challenges and Opportunities.
ii.From 9 to 12 December 2024 in Muscat, Oman, The ICAO Security Week 2024 will be held by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This event will be a unique opportunity to cover all aspects of aviation security, including aviation cybersecurity and other emerging issues.
- Theme -“Sustainable Future of Aviation Through Security”.
2024 Event in India:
On December 7th Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation (MCA) took part in International Civil Aviation Day celebrations and 1st convocation at Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU) in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
- During the event RGNAU signed a Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with IIT Patna, IIT Ropar, and IIT Bhilai to foster collaboration and innovation in the fields of aviation and aerospace, paving the way for future research and development initiatives.
Key Points:
i.IndiGo was named the 2024 Airline of the Year by the Centre for Aviation (CAPA).
ii.CAPA presented Global Environmental Sustainability Airline/Airline Group of the Year to Turkiye-based Pegasus Airlines and Asia Environmental Sustainability Airline/Airline Group of the Year to Singapore-based Scoot Airlines
Note – The aviation industry generated USD 2.7 trillion, i.e., 3.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) worldwide, and has created 65 million jobs globally.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):
It is funded and directed by 193 national governments, known as member states to support their diplomacy and cooperation in air transport as signatory states to the Chicago Convention (1944).
Secretary-General: Juan Carlos Salazar Gomez
Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
