The 2016 Young Aviation Professionals Programme (YAPP) participants were welcomed to Montréal by ICAO, Airports Council International and IATA on 22 February 2016. From left to right, Mr. Vincent Smith, Director of ICAO’s Bureau of Administration and Services; YAPP participant Mr. Abul Kekilbayev from Kazakhstan; Ms. Angela Gittens, Director General of Airports Council International; YAPP participant Mr. Pierre-Ludovic Guymar from France; Mr. Mike Comber, IATA’s Representative to ICAO; and YAPP participant Ms. Haiqing Wan of China.
MONTRÉAL, 1 MARCH 2016 – Participants representing three continents arrived in Montréal last week to begin taking part in the Young Aviation Professionals Programme, a special initiative led by ICAO in conjunction with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI).
The 12-month annual programme is open to candidates who have advanced university qualifications and a minimum of two years professional working experience in aviation-related regulatory activities, and/or the air transport industry. Due consideration is also given during the selection process to gender and geographic diversity.
Ms. Haiqing Wan from China, Mr. Pierre-Ludovic Guymar from France, and Mr. Abul Kekilbayev from Kazakhstan were selected for 2016 YAPP participation from among over 500 global applicants.
“This year-long programme serves as a means of fostering enthusiasm and awareness around the benefits of air transport in a new generation of young professionals,” commented ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu. “ICAO is very pleased to be working so closely with our partners IATA and ACI on this uniquely beneficial and engaging programme, and to be helping to assure that today’s talented, dedicated and hardworking youth are aware of the many opportunities our dynamic global network has to offer.”
The 2016 YAPP candidates will contribute to one or more of ICAO’s Strategic Objectives, focusing on the inter-relationships between the work of ICAO and fellow IATA/ACI experts from the airline and airport industries, respectively. Once they have completed the programme, participants are well positioned to assist governments, international organizations and industry partners as they address the emerging needs of the next generation of aviation professionals. The programme makes key contributions towards ICAO’s capacity building objectives.
The invitation for applications for the 2017 selections for the Young Aviation Professionals Programme is expected to be announced in early September 2016.
