International Civil Aviation Day

Held on 7th December every year

Civil Aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices for civil aviation through that agency. Business generated from Civil Aviation is growing by leaps and bounds. The liberalization of international air transport regulations, increase in the number of airline companies and low fares have encouraged the industry. International tourists account for a large influx of capital in a country. However the aviation industry is facing capacity and infrastructure related constraints, rising fuel cost, taxing, unfair price war between carriers, etc. It is here that ICAO plays a vital role. International Civil Aviation Day is annually observed December 7 to raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation and the role that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) plays in international air transport. The organization is a United Nations (UN) body, responsible for developing international standards for aviation safety.

Hitory - International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was established on December 7, 1944, to secure international cooperation and uniformity in civil aviation matters. The International Services Transit Agreement and the International Air Transport Agreement were also signed. In 1994 ICAO established International Civil Aviation Day by to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary. This observance aims to generate and reinforce global awareness of the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development . The day also commemorates the ICAO’s role in promoting the safety, efficiency and regularity of international air transport. In 1996 the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 7 as International Civil Aviation Day, in accordance with an ICAO initiative and with the Canadian Government’s assistance. The assembly urged governments and organizations to observe the day. This day is now an official UN day. ICAO is a UN body that works closely with other United Nations members including the World Meteorological Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the Universal Postal Union, the World Health Organization and the International Maritime Organization.

Events - ICAO, with support from governments, organizations, businesses and individuals, actively promotes International Civil Aviation Day through various activities and events.  This day is celebrated globally, especially in countries such as South Africa, through various activities such as seminars, published material, educational lectures, classroom activities, and news announcements on international civil aviation topics related to the day.

Themes - Each year a different Theme is selected to focus on certain subjects.

Previous year's Themes have been:

2009 - 65 years of empowering the global community through aviation
2008 - Tomorrow's Aviation - a world of opportunity for skilled aviation personnel
2007 - Global Air Transport - a driver of sustainable economic, social and cultural development
2006 - Safety and security – first and always the top priority
2005 - The Greening of Flight - maximizing compatibility between safe and orderly development of civil aviation and the quality of the environment
2004 - International Cooperation: Solutions to Global Aviation Challenges
2003 - For 60 Years... Setting the Standards for International Civil Aviation
2002 - One Hundred Years of Powered, Controlled and Sustained Flight
2001 - Flight Between Nations - Dialogue Between Peoples
2000 - Implementing ICAO SARPs - the Key to Aviation Safety and Efficiency
1999 - Promoting Global Friendship and Understanding
1998 - Flying Safely into the 21st Century
1997 - Enhancing Flight Safety through Global Cooperation
1996 - Using Satellites to Make Civil Aviation Safer
1995 - The Aeroplane in Our Lives
1994 - 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the Chicago Convention

Symbols - The ICAO logo is often associated with marketing and promotional material for this event. It is similar to the UN logo in that the ICAO logo has a pair of aircraft wings superimposed on the UN logo. The UN logo features a projection of a world map (less Antarctica) centred on the North Pole, inscribed in a wreath consisting of crossed conventionalized branches of the olive tree. The olive branches symbolize peace and the world map depicts the area of concern to the UN in achieving its main purpose, peace and security. The projection of the map extends to 60 degrees south latitude, and includes five concentric circles. Over the years the ICAO logo has been published in different variations. In 1995 ICAO recognized the introduction of Arabic and Chinese as the organization’s working languages and this was reflected on the logo – both languages are found in the logo to describe ICAO.

Holiday Status - It is not a public holiday.