Did you know?
Air transport has a specialised United Nations agency coordinating global standards and laws to ensure a safe, secure and sustainable sector: the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Relevance to aviation
At its most fundamental level, air transport brings people together. This fosters understanding and helps bridge divides and ultimately helps build peace. It is perhaps best elaborated in the preamble to the Chicago Convention, the ‘founding document’ of international civil aviation:
"Whereas the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, yet its abuse can become a threat to the general security; and
Whereas it is desirable to avoid friction and to promote that co-operation between nations and peoples upon which the peace of the world depends;
Therefore, the undersigned governments having agreed on certain principles and arrangements in order that international civil aviation may be developed in a safe and orderly manner and that international air transport services may be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically;
Have accordingly concluded this Convention to that end."
Aviation also has a very visible responsibility for the security of its operation and the industry works closely in partnership with governments and multilateral bodies to ensure that system is robust. In addition, many aviation partners are working to reduce the use of air transport as a conduit for illegal activities such as wildlife and human trafficking.
Examples of action
- Aviation is committed to playing its part in stopping the illegal trade in wildlife, worth at least $19 billion annually. 79 airlines have signed up to the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce.
- Both the International Air Transport Association and Airports Council International have issued resolutions to ensure airlines and airports are made aware of the issue of trafficking of people on board aircraft and have prescribed actions they can take to reduce its possibility.
- In 2024, FedEx was recognised for the second year running by the World’s Most Ethical Companies ® Honoree List. FedEx has an established Code of Conduct to ensure that it only does business with trustworthy and ethical companies.
- American Airlines is among a number of airlines that provide mandatory training to staff to help them recognise the signs of human trafficking and act if their suspicions are raised. The training focuses on customer-facing team members such as flight attendants, pilots and airport customer service representatives. Over 70,000 staff receive training each year.
- The ICAO Secretariat provides legal advice and assistance to ICAO member States when legal disputes over aviation activity arise.
Learn more in the Flying in Formation report