Celebrating 80 years of aviation connecting the world

Did you know that aviation connects 5 billion people annually, carries 33% of the world’s trade by value, and supports over half of global tourism? For 80 years, international cooperation through the Chicago Convention has made this possible, creating a more connected world.

The Chicago Convention, signed on 7 December 1944, established the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and laid the foundation for international aviation, fostering collaboration between nations to enhance global connectivity. 

To mark this milestone, the global aviation industry, including ASD as part of the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA), has presented a unified declaration to the ICAO. This declaration reaffirms a shared commitment to advancing safe, secure, and sustainable air travel for generations to come.

The declaration, titled “Eighty years of collaboration, progress, and innovation in global aviation”, celebrates the transformative role of air transport in our lives:

• Connecting passengers and goods across 67,300 routes to 4,072 airports.
• Supporting a fleet of 29,000 aircraft that drive tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

This 80th-anniversary declaration serves as a powerful reminder of how aviation keeps our world connected, accessible, and thriving. It’s a celebration of the progress made and a promise to keep building a better future in the skies.

Signatories 
The joint declaration has been signed by: 

Airports Council International (ACI) 

Airport Services Association (ASA) 

Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) 

Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) 

International Air Transport Association (IATA) 

International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) 

International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) 

International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) 

International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) 

International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) 

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)