Chicago, Illinois

IBAC congratulates ICAO on 80 years of shaping global aviation

The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has extended its warmest congratulations to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Chicago Convention, which established ICAO.

Since its inception in 1944, ICAO has played a pivotal role in shaping global civil aviation, fostering connectivity, safety, innovation, and sustainability.

"We commend ICAO on this 80-year milestone," said Kurt Edwards, Director General at IBAC. “ICAO has been instrumental in establishing a global framework for civil aviation, ensuring safe access and efficient operations of aircraft worldwide. We, at IBAC, are proud to work alongside ICAO and its member States. Our commitment to collaborating with industry stakeholders to address the global aviation community's challenges and opportunities is unwavering."

IBAC planning and operations committee meeting at the ICAO Assembly Hall in Montreal, September 2024. Pictured left to right: Terry Yeomans, IBAC; Leo Knaapen, IBAC; Doug Carr, NBAA; Joelle El Hajj, IBAC; Scott Macpherson, CBAA; Kurt Edwards, IBAC; Ali Alnaqbi, MEBAA; Lindsey Oliver, BBGA; Josh Stewart, IBGAA; Laura Everington, NBAA; James Elian, CBAA; Andrew Karas, IBAC; Claude Hurley, IBAC).

As the recognized voice of business aviation with official status at ICAO, IBAC actively participates in ICAO's work and is co-located in Montreal. Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) agreed at ICAO ultimately shape the aviation regulatory framework of all member States. As such, it is important for IBAC to deliver expertise and advocacy to ensure outcomes appropriate to the business aviation sector. IBAC’s global team participates in key ICAO technical work while representing business aviation at a range of ICAO’s bodies, from the triennial Assembly, the Council, and Air Navigation Commission to high-level conferences, regional forums, and panels.

ICAO continuously supports rigorous aviation safety and security standards that facilitate the safest form of transport in the world. IBAC’s leading safety-standards programmes for business aircraft operators (IS-BAO) and ground-handling organizations (IS-BAH) are recognized in ICAO texts and share common goals for continuous improvement of aviation safety.

As part of the global civil aviation industry, the business aviation community continues to drive innovation, embracing cutting-edge technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth that aligns with ICAO’s vision initiated 80 years ago this week. IBAC looks forward to continued collaboration with ICAO for the greater good of the nations and peoples of the world.