Eighty years of collaboration, progress, and innovation in global aviation

Today, the global aviation industry proudly marks the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention, the founding framework of international civil aviation, and the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). On 7 December 1944, amidst a world torn by conflict, visionaries from 52 nations gathered in Chicago to craft an agreement to “create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world”.

Since its founding, ICAO has brought together States, industry leaders and stakeholders in pursuit of shared goals. Together, we have transformed aviation from a fledgling industry into a critical driver of global development, commerce, prosperity and cultural exchange. International civil aviation opened up access to more destinations, in safer and more sustainable aircraft than ever before. Today, air transport connects 5 billion passengers, 33% of global trade by value and 58% of world tourists across 67,300 routes to 4,072 airports on a fleet of 29,000 aircraft. A diverse business and general aviation sector has expanded access to underserved regions, providing agile, point-to-point connectivity for a wide range of users as well as vital services such as search and rescue, air ambulances, and disaster relief.

Celebrating our shared achievements
Through collaborative and consensus-driven deliberations, ICAO sets the standards for this global system that the industry works to deliver. As we reflect on these 80 years, we celebrate the achievements made possible by the foresight of the Chicago Convention:

a. Safety and security: ICAO has continuously championed rigorous safety and security standards, making aviation the safest form of transport in the world.
b. Global connectivity: From the first international air routes to today’s global network that spans the world, the aviation sector has served 98 billion passengers. The Chicago Convention has been instrumental in allowing people and goods to travel safely, efficiently, and affordably, opening up opportunities and connecting people everywhere.
c. Sustainability and innovation: Over the decades, the sector has jointly embraced its responsibility to support the mitigation of environmental impacts. From working to limit noise and pioneering sustainable aviation fuels to addressing the challenge of climate change, the aviation sector has worked tirelessly to improve efficiency, introduce new technologies and kick-start the challenging progress of our energy transition.
d. Economic growth and social development: Aviation today generates $4.1 trillion in global economic activity and supports 86.5 million jobs worldwide. It has become the lifeblood of trade, tourism, and humanitarian aid, linking families and friends, cultures, and economies in unprecedented ways.

Looking to the future New challenges will confront us all over the next 80 years. As ICAO’s industry partners, we reaffirm our commitment to lead with the same innovative spirit that defined the sector’s founding: to foster the safe, secure and sustainable growth of the aviation sector; the continued development of international air transport for even more of the world’s citizens, accessible and inclusive to global passengers; introducing new forms of urban advanced air mobility; and with an agile and supported workforce.

In this regard, the aviation industry will help deliver on the ICAO Strategic Vision. We all aim for zero fatalities. Together we will achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with all aviation industry partners responsibly doing their part to meet that challenge, with alignment from government policy, energy sector action and finance industry support. And, ultimately, we will ensure that aviation continues to serve as an integral part of a thriving, connected, inclusive and affordable global transportation system for people and goods.

Safe skies, sustainable future. Together.