Cabinet approves the ratification of three Protocols relating to amendments in the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention),1944

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves the ratification of three Protocols relating to amendments in the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention),1944” published in PIB on 22nd February 2023

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the ratification of three Protocols relating to amendments in the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention),1944.

What is the Chicago Convention?

The Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention was drafted in 1944.

The agreement laid the foundation for the standards and procedures for peaceful global air navigation.

It set out as its prime objective the development of international civil aviation in a safe and orderly manner and such that air transport services would be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically. 

The convention also formalized the expectation that a specialized International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would be established in order to organize and support the intensive international co-operation which the fledgling global air transport network would require.

What are the amendments of the Chicago Convention ratified by the Cabinet?

Cabinet has ratified the following three protocols relating to amendments in the Chicago Convention:

Article 3: It refrains member States from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.

Article 50(a): It raises the strength of the ICAO Council from 36 to 40 

Article 56: It raises the strength of the Air Navigation Commission from 18 to 21.

What is the significance of ratification of these amendments by India?

The ratification would affirm India’s commitment to the principles enshrined in the Convention on International Civil Aviation. 

The ratification would also provide better chances and opportunity for India to become more instrumental in matters pertaining to international civil aviation.