Taiwan wants effective partnerships in civil aviation

The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 39th triennial assembly is on now until Oct 7 in Montreal. Safety is at the core of the ICAO’s objectives, and is important to Taiwan and the global aviation industry.

Regretfully, despite this, Taiwan has been denied attendance at the meeting (“Taiwan angered by global aviation group’s snub”; Sept 24).

Over the years, Taiwan has strived to gain meaningful participation in the ICAO, as we believe that our participation would lead to closer and more effective partnerships in the civil aviation industry.

Taiwan is located in East Asia’s busiest section of airspace. Last year, Taoyuan International Airport was ranked 11th and sixth in the world in passenger and cargo volumes respectively, according to Airports Council International.

Also last year, 74 airlines offered services to and from Taiwan, operating scheduled passenger and cargo flights on 301 routes and connecting 135 cities.

And the Taipei Flight Information Region provided over 1.53 million instances of air traffic control services and handled 58 million incoming and outgoing passengers, serving as an indispensable part of the global air transport network.

For decades, Taiwan’s civil aviation authorities have outdone their counterparts in many countries, whether in terms of effort or investment, in striving to meet the ICAO’s flight safety regulations.

Air safety, navigation, security, environmental protection and economic matters are of great concern to the ICAO, and related challenges must be tackled through close international co-operation.

Taiwan’s meaningful participation in ICAO is thus necessary.

Following years of effort, Taiwan was invited to the ICAO assembly in 2013, thanks to the support of European nations, the United States and other friendly countries.

Taiwan aims to continue participating in the ICAO’s meetings, mechanisms and activities in a professional, constructive manner.

Taiwan shares in the responsibility for safeguarding regional and global aviation safety and is committed to contributing to the further development of global aviation and the well-being of mankind.

Taiwan will continue to share its experience and expertise with other nations, so as to jointly ensure the safe, orderly and sustainable development of the civil aviation industry.