INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY 2011

ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, December 8th, 2011 -- Since 1994 International Civil Aviation Day is observed annually on December 7 across the world to raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation and the role that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) plays in promoting the safety, efficiency and regularity of international air transport.

As Minister responsible for aviation it gives me great pleasure to deliver this message as the Virgin Islands’ first act of participation in this global aviation anniversary event. Ever since the day was instituted ICAO urges Member States to establish a national focal point and to launch a programme of activities at the national level to celebrate the anniversary in an appropriate way.

To this end the Virgin Islands will from this year forward join in the global celebration with activities such as flag raisings, award presentations, air shows, exhibitions, tours and symposia.

This year’s theme is: ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION FOR GLOBALLY SUSTAINABLE AIR TRANSPORT; and what a fitting theme might I add given the growth potential that our beautiful Virgin Islands has at its disposal. Aviation is a complex industry and is one of the life lines of the Virgin Islands as we depend to a large extent on air lift for daily commerce and tourism.

Our unique geography of small mountainous islands and cays, with very little flat land to spare, makes it even more critical the decisions we will inevitably take regarding the expansion of our aviation infrastructure for it to remain sustainable and viable at the same time.

The year 1994 marked the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation at Chicago. It is stated in the preamble to the convention that “the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world…” and further on in Article 44 it ultimately talks about meeting the needs of the peoples of the world for safe, regular, efficient and economical air transport.

Therefore the Government of the Virgin Islands endeavours to continue our forward progress of developing both the regulatory (Department of Civil Aviation) and operational (BVI Airports Authority Limited) arms of aviation so that the Virgin Islands can continue to offer air transport services at an international standard that is safe, regular and efficient!

Happy International Civil Aviation Day!
The Honourable Mark Vanterpool
Minister for Communications and Works
Virgin Islands

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