NAN-HE-12
Investment
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, July 13, 2017 (NAN) Dr Benard Aliu, Council President, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has called for increase on the level of investments earmarked for global air transport infrastructure, expansion and modernisation.
A statement by ICAO’s Chief of Communication, Anthony Philbin, on Thursday, said that Aliu made the call while addressing the 6th World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum on Thursday in Singapore.
Aliu, while calling for concrete actions on climate and sustainability commitments by world leaders, added that the planet and its environment must be a clear priority irrespective of their company, country or mandate.
He said that the percentage of the air cargo share of items purchased online, grew dramatically from 16 to 74 per cent between 2010 and 2015, and was projected to grow to a remarkable 91 per cent by 2025.
ICAO President also stressed that the expectations for access to global products and services were wholly dependent on international air transport to move their online purchases, rapidly and reliably.
He called on States and Regions to ensure effective implementation of ICAO’s global standards and policies, and ensure the capacity and efficiency of their local networks through modernised airport and air navigation infrastructure.
“This remains a great challenge for the sector because the contributions of international aviation connectivity to local economies and societies are grossly undervalued.
“As evidence of this, less than five per cent of Official Development Assistance globally is earmarked for air transport projects, despite the fact that the aviation generated 67.3 million jobs and contributed 2.7 trillion dollars to global GDP in 2016,” he said. (NAN)
OYS/AAB/EAL
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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Ekemini Ladejobi