Source: ICAO ICAO joined four other UN agencies today in calling on countries to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for aircrew and seafarers. In addition to ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu, the special Joint Statement was signed by the heads of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Health Organization (WHO). “The implementation of the current WHO recommendations are of primordial importance to the continued and optimal operation of the international civil aviation network, and therefore to the transport worldwide of essential shipments and workers,” Dr. Liu declared. The Joint Statement stresses the WHO’s advice that at the present time countries should not introduce requirements of proof of vaccination [...]

Source: ICAO The ICAO Council concluded the meetings of its 222nd Session today, formalizing important progress on air transport developments relating to ongoing global pandemic response, emissions offsetting, gender equality and remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), among others.   The Council’s contributions to the continuing work to help countries respond and recover from the pandemic on an aligned, effective basis globally, came with its adoption of the latest ‘Phase III’ guidance of its Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), and the decision to convene a ministerial conference on COVID-19 this coming October.   Where sustainability and the environment are concerned, the Council agreed on additional CORSIA eligible emissions units programmes for use in CORSIA and on additional new criteria for the assessment [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council’s approval of the latest recommendations from its Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART). Key outputs include: Recommendations for: Temporary liberalization of cargo flights Considering priority vaccination of air crew Increased cooperation among governments to implement CART recommendations and guidance Updated or new guidance for: Testing certificates COVID-19 risk management including vaccination and its interdependencies Dangerous goods guidelines for the carriage of cargo on passenger aircraft used in freighter operations A new mechanism for reporting extended regulatory alleviations   “This is a major piece of work by states and aviation stakeholders under the leadership of ICAO and with the full support of the industry. Of course, [...]

Source: ICAO The ICAO Council approved six new COVID-19 recommendations today, and amended two others, as countries continue to address latest information and cooperate to optimize the role of international air transport in global pandemic recovery and ensure the speedy resumption of air travel. The new and amended recommendations and updated guidelines are contained in the High-Level Cover Document and ‘Take-off’ Guidelines issued by the Council’s Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), established shortly after the pandemic was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). “Following the emergence of new virus variants, the vaccine rollouts, and other innovations to battle COVID-19, the work of CART has targeted specific issues related to testing and vaccination of passengers as part of a State’s [...]