April 13, 2020: At the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council meeting, the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) along with high-level representatives from Airport Council International (ACI), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) and The International Air Transport Association (IATA) were invited to the informal briefing of the Council which was held as a video conference. The central theme of the meeting was ‘work together and in unison’.

TIACA reiterated – and several other organisations agreed – that pressure on resources is intense and government financial assistance is necessary both immediately and at a later date to support the industry’s recovery. The international alliance focused in particular on protecting resources and staff, as well as the need for strict prioritisation.

The objective of the briefing was to present to the Council views of the international aviation community on the main measures that states should take to provide immediate support to the aviation industry and, at a later date, to support its recovery. “I gave to the Council a background on our association, its mission and main objectives, as well as some examples of the successful collaborative work in the last seven years with ICAO. But of course, the main presentation was on the measures that TIACA and its members are recommending to alleviate effects of this crisis to maintain orderly business activity,” said Vladimir Zubkov, TIACA’s general secretary.

“Unity among the international community and its stakeholders is essential,” said Zubkov.

In his summary, the ICAO president, Salvatore Sciacchitano, emphasised the importance of a strong international alliance to help the aviation industry emerge from this crisis.

The ICAO Council will take practical measures and industry representatives will continue to work together at Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak Technical Meetings, organised each week by ICAO with TIACA as a fully-fledged member.