Member States concluded approximately 500 air service agreements following an intensive week of negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia recently during The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 2024 Air Services Negotiation (ICAN) event.
The event demonstrated strong diplomatic momentum with 594 bilateral meetings over five days, bringing together 590 delegates from 80 States. These negotiations will expand global air connectivity and create new opportunities for international air transport.
“The substantial outcomes of ICAN 2024 demonstrate the aviation sector’s continued commitment to enhancing global connectivity,” said ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano. “Each agreement signed here opens new pathways for economic growth and international cooperation.”
Hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, this year’s ICAN marked the event’s return to Asia after seven years. The negotiations focused on establishing new air routes, expanding capacity, and modernizing existing agreements to meet current market demands.
Since its inception in 2008, ICAN has facilitated over 5,000 air service agreements worldwide, forming the regulatory foundation that enables international air transport.
These agreements are crucial for:
- Opening new air routes between countries
- Expanding passenger and cargo capacity
- Fostering competition and market access
- Supporting economic development through enhanced connectivity
The next ICAN event is scheduled to take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in December 2025.
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