International Civil Aviation Organization

Airlines absorb $391 billion revenue shortfall in 2020

The damage to the airline industry from the coronavirus pandemic last year totaled $391 billion in lower revenue as 60% fewer passengers took to the skies, according to a tally by the International Civil Aviation Organization. 

The financial hardship has continued into 2021 as airlines try to cope with a double-dip recession. Experts are maintaining their outlook for a prolonged depression in passenger demand that will likely keep airlines at a diminished size for several years. 

ICAO estimated...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/airlines-absorb-391-billion-revenue-shortfall-in-2020

Global aviation body urges governments to enable flights for seafarers

The International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialist body of the United Nations, has issued guidance urging governments to enable the movement by air of seafarers so that relief crews can join their ships and off-signing crew can go home.

In the ICAO’s new guidance, the aviation body argues that the continuation of air transport is critical to support the delivery of goods and services. It further argues that aviation’s services to the supply of goods could be “facilitated by the...

https://shippingaustralia.com.au/global-aviation-body-urges-governments-to-enable-flights-for-seafarers/

UN urges support for postal, air cargo and express mail operators

A white and purple FedEx plane on the airport apron.

The International Civil Aviation Organization and the Universal Postal Union on Tuesday encouraged national governments to provide postal, air cargo and express mail operators with the resources and regulatory flexibility necessary to maintain efficient delivery service during the coronavirus crisis.

A joint statement by the UN agencies aligns with recommendations this summer from ICAO’s Aviation Recovery Task Force for nations to provide flexibility to operators hauling airmail and air cargo,...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/un-urges-support-for-postal-air-cargo-and-express-mail-operators

New air cargo security standards could gum up e-commerce exports

A large jet gets loaded with pallets of cargo under a cloudy sky. Air cargo security rules are tightening in the next year.

The U.S. supply chain industry appears divided over how the government should implement new international security standards for cargo carried on freighter aircraft and whether certain exporters get special treatment to minimize associated cost increases.

Some worry there could be shipping delays if the Transportation Security Administration doesn’t figure out a plan well before the standards take effect July 1.

At issue is whether the TSA will recognize the security controls of e-commerce...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/new-air-cargo-security-standards-could-gum-up-e-commerce-exports

2021 AirCargo Conference will take off virtually

2021 AirCargo Conference virtual

The annual AirCargo Conference scheduled for January 16-18 in New Orleans has been moved online due to the ongoing health and safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Most in-person conferences have been cancelled this year, but some organizations are being proactive and pulling the plug on events for next year and going virtual instead. The cancellations are another sign that airlines will have difficulty attracting customers back in the coming year, especially coveted business...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/2021-aircargo-conference-will-take-off-virtually

Airlines chafe against UK quarantine as Europe opens travel

Pilot with face mask looking out window of big white jet.

An Austrian Airlines flight departed from Vienna at 6:30 a.m. Monday for Munich, Germany, marking the company’s first scheduled passenger flight in almost three months and the lifting of travel restrictions between European Union states. 

It’s good news for airlines that have suffered for months with almost no revenue, but an announcement from Lufthansa Airlines about mass layoffs is a stark reminder that the industry’s road back to financial health will be long and challenging. And while the...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/airlines-chafe-against-uk-quarantine-as-europe-opens-travel

Help transport workers, UN heads urge world governments

Pictured: the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, a specialised agency of the United Nations, in London, UK. Photo: supplied by the IMO.

Governments around the world have been urged by the heads of three specialised UN agencies to ease crew change restrictions at seaports and airports, and to designate maritime, aviation and logistics personnel as key workers.

Kitack Lim, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, together with Fang Liu, the head of...

https://shippingaustralia.com.au/help-transport-workers-un-heads-urge-world-governments/

Getting crews on and off ships and airplanes

The three largest global organizations representing the workforces of the maritime and air transport industries have asked their government members to ensure the continued cross-border movement of these “key workers” to and from their jobs.

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a flurry of government bans on international travel, which has obstructed necessary crew changes to keep the world’s maritime and aircraft fleet, as well as at ports and logistics hubs, in operation and goods flowing.

Th...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/getting-crews-on-and-off-ships-and-airplanes

ICAO calls for sanitary sky corridors to expedite critical cargo flights

Pallets of cargo are unloaded from a big plane.

Governments should follow harmonized hygiene standards for crews, aircraft and airport facilities so authorities have the confidence to freely allow passage of air cargo flights with essential medical supplies and food, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said Wednesday. Currently such flights face severe delays because of inconsistent border restrictions.

The United Nations agency, with responsibility for managing the administration of international aviation law, is publishing...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/icao-calls-for-sanitary-sky-corridors-to-expedite-critical-cargo-flights