Every year, 7 December is celebrated as International Civil Aviation Day. The purpose of celebrating this day is to recognise international air travel and to convey the importance of aviation to the social and economic development of the world.

International Civil Aviation Day fosters global awareness of aviation's pivotal role in the world's social and economic development.

Theme of International Civil Aviation Day 2023:

This year's theme is “Advanced Innovation for Global Aviation Development”.
This theme focuses on how innovation will shape and improve civil aviation around the world in the future.

History of International Civil Aviation Day:

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Civil Aviation Day on December 7, 1996.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) was established on 7 December 1944 to promote global co-operation and uniformity in civil aviation matters.
ICAO had declared International Civil Aviation Day in 1994 on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO):

ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established in 1944 to manage the governance and administration of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) by States.
ICAO's headquarter is located in the Quartier International in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Currently, ICAO has 193 members. India is also a member of ICAO.
The Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation was signed on December 7, 1944. Therefore, ICAO is also called the Chicago Convention.
One of the objectives of ICAO is to promote the planning and development of international air transport, so as to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation in the world.

Significance of International Civil Aviation Day:

The significance of International Civil Aviation Day is to raise public awareness about the value of civil aviation and its impact on the social and economic progress of the world.
It is an opportunity to highlight the role of global aviation organisations, particularly the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in setting and maintaining global standards for effective, safe and efficient air transport.