In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 7th December was to be the International Civil Aviation Day. Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial.
International Civil Aviation Day has been celebrated by the ICAO since 7 December 1994, which was the 50th anniversary of the signing the Convention of International Civil Aviation. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices for civil aviation through that agency.
It’s incredible to think that in less than 24 hours, you can transport your body to pretty much anywhere in the world. Flying has made the world a much smaller place. It has a huge impact on our lives. Today, we celebrate the impact of flying and are thankful that it has opened so many doors for all of us.
The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping States to cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.
As the UN and world nations have now adopted Agenda 2030, and embarked on a new era in global sustainable development, the importance of aviation as an engine of global connectivity has never been more relevant to the Chicago Convention’s objectives to look to international flight as a fundamental enabler of global peace and prosperity.
Every five years, coinciding with ICAO anniversaries (2014/2019/2024/2029/etc.), the ICAO Council establishes a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day. Between these anniversary years, Council representatives select a single theme for the full four-year intervening period. In recognition of ICAO’s 75th anniversary, the Council selected the following theme “75 Years of Connecting the World” for the 2019 celebrations. From 2020 until 2023, the Council has decided that the theme will be: “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development.”
International Civil Aviation Day helps in helping the states to cooperate and realise a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind. The day is observed globally but it is not a public holiday. The day generates and leverages global awareness about international civil aviation.
The International Civil Aviation network carries over 4 billion passengers a year. The global Air Transport sector supports 65.6 million jobs. It creates a global economic activity worth 2.7 trillion dollars. 3.6 percent of the global economic activity is supported by Civil Aviation industry.
ICAO organises various activities and events about the International Civil Aviation Day. Several seminars, educational sessions and news announcements are done by ICAO on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day. People also wish each other a happy International Civil Aviation Day to observe the importance of civil aviation in day to day life. International Civil Aviation Day is a day to enjoy the extraordinary things humans are capable of and to look at the future, as we continue to innovate and bring cultures closer together.
