08 Oct 2017

The International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) on October 6 condemned the continued launching of ballistic missiles by North Korea over or near international air routes, which threatens safety of international civil aviation.

A press release from ICAO states that ICAO Council urges Korea to comply with the provisions of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, its annexes, procedures, and relevant standards and recommended practices in order to prevent the recurrence of such potentially hazardous activities.

Furthermore, the release states that the council considers the item during its first meeting of the 212th session at ICAO headquarters in Montreal. It says that Korea missile launches has occurred over international air routes and without prior notice being given, causing significant concerns to the safety of international civil aviation.

Further it states that Korea is an ICAO member state and it is expected to notify adjacent countries of any activity or incident arising from its territory which may pose risks to nearby civil aviation routes or operations. This, the release says will include matters such as volcanic ash clouds from local eruptions or aerial testing which may affect civil aviation.

The council’s decision was drawn with reference to ICAO Assembly Resolution A32-6, Safety of Navigation, adopted in 1998.

The ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations which was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental protection, amongst many other priorities. ENDS