The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s(ICAO) fundamental premise is to ensure air transport safety, while opening up opportunities that are fair in the operations of international lines, as well as minimise expensive penalties related to these operations.
Unfortunately, the Taiwan Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) has had to bear the brunt of incurring additional costs while ensuring air transport safety, as well as not having a fair opportunity to join an organisation to which it has made an immense contribution. In order to strengthen key industries around the globe - aviation being one of them - it is essential to recognise that a global industry such as safety in aviation cannot exist in a vacuum, with powerful players like Taiwan being left out of the Assembly Sessions of organisations such as ICAO. Even more shocking is the support that Taiwan has rendered to the United Nations specialised agencies, only to find itself excluded from one where it is the biggest contributor.
Even outside the scope of reliable and consistent safety indices - regionally and globally - Taiwan’s CAA continues to ensure that their Flight Information Region’s (FIR) safety levels are compliant with international expectations. This reflects the commitment that the Taiwan CAA has in ensuring that safety in the global aviation industry is upheld.
With the theme for this year’s Assembly being “Reconnecting the World”, the IFP believes it would be fitting to include Taiwan in the world of aviation, based on their active involvement in making air traffic manageable and safe for all who use it. We trust that the dedication applied by the Taiwan CAA is not in vain but instead, seen as an opportunity to assist the ICAO in its mission of continuing to develop and plan safe international air travel.
The sole dependence and trust in the Taiwan CAA to manage air traffic for the Taipei FIR reflects not only Taiwan’s suitability to complement and further the ICAO’s purpose, but also, its ability to contribute positively to civil aviation.
The inclusion of the CAA in the ICAO would not only offer a protective scope for them to operate in but ensure that the ICAO can fulfil its purpose with one of the biggest stakeholders of air travel as their partner. This, while continuing to ensure that air safety is at the heart of their operations. The inclusion of all FIRs play a pivotal role in ensuring that the lives and cargo that grace the skies are safe. Without a doubt, Taiwan has time and again proved themselves worthy of that inclusion.
Issued by:
Hon. KP Sithole, MP
IFP MP on Transport
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