The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has welcomed the outcomes of the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which took place in Montreal, Canada from 23 September to 3 October. Delegations from 192 member states and 58 international organisations, including IBAC, attended the meeting to address key issues in aviation safety, security and sustainability.

Kurt Edwards, director general at IBAC, says: “The global business aviation community fully engaged at this assembly with 24 members in the IBAC delegation, our largest ever. Beyond achieving our objective to raise the profile of business aviation at the assembly, we successfully promoted a number of safety, security and environmental matters, including placing on ICAO's radar the security and safety implications of flight tracking using ADS-B.”

IBAC also partnered with industry associations to further work on fatigue management, reaffirm its commitment to the 2050 goal of net-zero carbon emissions and support efforts to tackle satellite navigation radio frequency interference.

The assembly included discussions on positive safety culture, cybersecurity and improved coordination between industry and states on the application of ICAO standards.

Edwards adds: “We are grateful for the active support of our member associations and industry partners that represented so effectively the business aviation sector to the global community of aviation policymakers, regulators and other industry sectors. Now we set our sights on the important work of the next three years at ICAO laid out at the assembly.”

Earlier this year, IBAC announced that it would bring a record delegation of over 30 credentialled members, comprising leaders from member associations, industry partners, and its secretariat, to ensure visible, high-level engagement. The organisation stressed that its advocacy role extends year-round via participation in ICAO study groups and panels, providing technical expertise so that standards, policies and guidance reflect the real needs of business aviation operators.