The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has decided to establish a new COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force. The decision has been undertaken in response to the harsh impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global civil aviation sector. The move comes in a time when there is a need for wide-ranging government and industry coordination to help the world reconnect once again. The newly-formed council includes representatives from the 36 countries on the Governing Council of ICAO.
The Council Task Force aims to identify and recommend strategic priorities and policies for States and industry operators. All government and industry data will be leveraged by the council with immediate effect toward solutions to face the challenges the aviation sector is facing at the moment. It will also address the priorities to reboot the network for a post-pandemic world. It would contribute to making the industry more resilient and responsive in the process.
Salvatore Sciacchitano, President, ICAO Council addressed the very first meeting of the Task Force and said in his statement that connectivity is critical to economic and sustainable development in every region of the world. He mentioned that an effective recovery of international air transport is essential to support the post-pandemic worldwide economic recovery.
He informed that international air transport has faced several crises over the years for numerous reasons in the past. He shared that the industry was able to regain its position by overcoming every challenge with the help of the timely initiatives by ICAO. However, he also said that if international air transport does not resume soon and effectively, every progress achieved over the course of decades could be entirely erased.
He further added that ICAO is being called upon to rescue international air transport and facilitate the resumption of operations in the uncertain times and exceptional circumstances and that the council would contribute in driving the sector towards recovery.
Council Members and high-level aviation industry representatives including the Directors General of all major air transport industry associations have joined hands to form the new Council Task Force. United Nations bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are also represented in the council alongside heads of several national and regional aviation administrations.
President Sciacchitano appointed Mr. Philippe Bertoux, Representative for France on the ICAO Council, as the Chairperson of the Task Force. Meanwhile, Mr. Boubacar Djibo, Director of the ICAO Air Transport Bureau, will serve as the Council Secretary. The first outcome of the Task Force is expected to arrive by the end of May 2020.
