Civil Aviation Sector – CA Policy 2016, UDAN, Open Skies, etc.

India to host 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: ICAO APAC

Why in the News?

  • India will host the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation on September 11 and 12.
    • The conference will be jointly organised by the Indian government and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) APAC.

About the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Details
Establishment and Background
  • Founded on December 7, 1944, by the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
  • Became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1947
  • HQ: Montreal, Canada
Objectives and Mission
  • Develop international standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection
  • Promote safe and orderly growth of international air transport
Structure and Governance
  • Assembly: Meets every three years, includes all member states
  • Council: Governing body with 36 elected member states
  • Secretariat: Led by the Secretary General, manages daily operations
Membership
  • 193 member states as of 2024
  • Open to all states subscribing to Chicago Convention principles
  • India: Founding member, joined in 1944
Functions and Responsibilities
  • Establish international standards and recommended practices (SARPs)
  • Conduct audits and monitor SARPs compliance
  • Provide technical assistance and capacity-building
  • Facilitate aviation data and statistics collection
Key Areas of Focus
  • Safety: Enhance global aviation safety
  • Security: Strengthen aviation security measures
  • Efficiency: Promote efficient air navigation services
  • Environmental Protection: Address aviation’s environmental impact
Significant Programs and Initiatives
  • Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP): Monitors safety oversight capabilities
  • Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP): Evaluates aviation security measures
  • Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP): Addresses anticipated aviation professionals shortage
  • No Country Left Behind (NCLB): Assists states in implementing ICAO standards and policies
Publications and Resources
  • Annexes to the Chicago Convention: SARPs across civil aviation domains
  • ICAO Journal: Quarterly publication
  • Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and  Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP): Strategic documents for aviation safety and navigation improvements.
Regional Offices Seven offices in Bangkok, Cairo, Dakar, Lima, Mexico City, Nairobi, and Paris
Standards
  • Annex 1: Personnel Licensing
  • Annex 6: Operation of Aircraft
  • Annex 8: Airworthiness of Aircraft
  • Annex 17: Security
  • Annex 19: Safety Management
Global Impact
  • Harmonizes international aviation policies and procedures
  • Contributes to safe, secure, and sustainable growth of global air transport

About Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation

  • The conference aims to strengthen regional collaboration and develop a future-focused vision for the region, emphasizing innovation and safety.
  • The inaugural conference took place in February 2018 in Beijing.
  • 39 member states of the UN aviation safety body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), from the Asia Pacific region are expected to attend.
  • The conference focuses on making aviation travel sustainable, resilient, and adaptive to the changing needs of a globally interconnected community.
    • This region accounts for 33.41% of global flight departures, the highest of any region worldwide.
    • Passenger numbers are expected to increase from 4.5 billion this year to 11.5 billion by 2050.

PYQ:

[2014] International civil aviation laws provide all countries with complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory. What do you understand by ‘airspace’ What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat.

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