Air Transport Policy and Regulation

The objectives of the air transport policy and regulation program are to:

reduce State’s costs in performing its economic regulatory functions
increase consumer's benefits and choices;
improve air connectivity; and
create more competitive business opportunities in the marketplace;

thereby contributing to the sustainable economic development and to the expansion of trade and tourism.

Topics

ICAO Long-Term Vision for International Air Transport Liberalization

"We, the Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organization, resolve to actively pursue the continuous liberalization of international air transport to the benefit of all stakeholders and the economy at large.

We will be guided by the need to ensure respect for the highest levels of safety and security and the principle of fair and equal opportunity for all States and their stakeholders."

(Developed pursuant to the recommendation of the Sixth Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf/6), as endorsed by the Council and the Assembly, and after consultation with States. Adopted at the Council’s fifth meeting of its 205th Session.)

With the focus on liberalization of international air transport services, our major activities include:

Harmonizing global regulatory framework by developing policies and guidance as those contained in the Policy Guidance on the Economic Regulation of International Air Transport (Doc 9587), Manual on the Regulation of International Air Transport (Doc 9626), and ICAO's Policies on Taxation in the Field of International Air Transport (Doc 8632);
Serving as a global forum for cooperation and concerted actions , such as the sixth Worldwide Air Transport Conference on the Sustainability of Air Transport (ATConf/6, March 2013);
Providing practical solutions to address challenges of emerging regulatory challenges of global importance , such as market access, air carrier ownership and control, consumer protection, competition, assurance of essential services, and trade in services;
Enhancing transparency of air transport through dissemination and exchange of information on States’ policies and practices, air service agreements, taxes, and industry trends and developments ; and
Facilitating States' air services negotiations and business-to-business networking among States, international organizations, aviation industry, tourism and other stakeholders (see ICAO Air Services Negotiation (ICAN) event).