The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

ICAO officially came into being in 1947 as a result of the Chicago Convention, upon ratifica­tion by the requisite number of states. According to the mission statement of the organization, its aims and objectives are to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster the planning and development of inter­national air transport, so as to meet the needs of the international civil aviation community. The organization emphasizes its commitment, among other things, to facilitate:

1. The safe and orderly growth of civil air transportation

2. Aircraft design and operation for peaceful purposes

3. The development of airports, airways, and air navigation facilities for international civil aviation

Specifically, ICAO undertook to:

1. Establish international standards for aircraft airworthiness certification, flight crew certi­fication, communications, and radio aids to navigation

2, Establish principles and procedures for the economic regulation of international routes, fares, frequency, and capacity

The use of English as the required language for communication between aircraft and air traffic control authorities in international civil aviation all over the world is an example of ICAO work.

ICAO adopts and publishes technical stan­dards referred to as Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that govern the interac­tion of civil air transportation the world over. These international standards are incorporated into 18 technical annexes to provide uniformity and consistency that contribute to the safety and smooth operation of international civil aviation. ICAO proposes amendments and additions to SARPs as technology advances and conditions change. ICAO is essential in the coordination of the United States’ NextGen program and the European Union’s complementary SESAR innovations, and with the spreading of com­patible technology throughout worldwide civil aviation. The human element component of the equation is addressed through its TRAINAIR PLUS program, which is aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of aviation training, and the Human Factors program, which is directed toward reducing the impact of human perfor­mance limitations.

Other programs and efforts of the orga­nization relate to education, the environment, including noise issues and emissions affecting the ozone layer, problems involving multiple taxation, airport and route facility management, statistics, economic analysis, legal matters including treaty drafting and interpretation of law, and security.

Security has been a subject of ICAO action since the early 1970s as a result of the hijacking of aircraft beginning in the 1960s. In 1974, ICAO adopted its Standards and Recommended Prac­tices (SARPs) on Security, designated as Annex 17. The Annex is under constant review, and it has been amended multiple times in order to respond to changing needs. The progression of emphasis in Annex 17 has been from hijacking, to sabotage, to baggage reconciliation with pas­sengers, to screening of passengers and baggage and carry-on luggage, and the prevention and suppression of unlawful acts generally against civil aviation worldwide. The latest revision was effective on July 1, 2011.

Another example of ICAO commitment to global civil aviation relates to aviation safety in underdeveloped nations and regions. Due to the disproportionately high aviation accident rate in Africa, beginning in 2008, ICAO began adopt­ing a “new approach” toward carrying out its mandate to improve worldwide aviation safety as it relates to that region. Designated the Com­prehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan), ICAO developed a work program to enhance the avia­tion safety culture of African aviation service providers, to enable African countries to estab­lish and maintain a safety oversight system, and to assist them in identifying and resolving defi­ciencies in a reasonable manner.