In recognition of aviation’s crucial role as a catalyst for sustainable development worldwide, ICAO’s Air Services Negotiation (ICAN) event was launched in 2008 to facilitate the initiation or renegotiation of the bilateral and multilateral State agreements that form the regulatory foundation of the modern civil aviation network.
ICAO promotes several key priorities for States when we support their air services negotiations, including liberalized market access for airlines, the removal of barriers to access wider capital markets, and relaxed nationality requirements for airlines’ ownership. Air service agreements (ASA) provide the legal framework for airlines to have permission to fly between countries. They often include provisions for capacity and frequency, tariffs, fares and regulatory compliance and other requirements that ultimately contribute to the development and growth of the global aviation industry.
Every year at this event, ICAO provides a central meeting place where Member States can conduct bilateral, regional or plurilateral air services negotiations and consultations, as well as networking opportunities for policy makers, regulators, air operators, service providers and other stakeholders. Since its inception, the number of countries that use this forum has steadily increased; 150+ States have participated and benefited from ICAN at least once.
In October, during ICAO’s 2024 ICAN event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, approximately 500 air service agreements were concluded following an intensive week of negotiations. Representing 80 States, 590 delegates participated in 594 bilateral meetings over five days. Their negotiations will expand global air connectivity and create new opportunities for international air transport.
“The substantial outcomes of ICAN 2024 demonstrate the aviation sector’s continued commitment to enhancing global connectivity,” said ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano. “Each agreement signed here opens new pathways for economic growth and international cooperation.”
Hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, this year’s ICAN marked the event’s return to Asia after seven years. The negotiations focused on establishing new air routes, expanding capacity, and modernizing existing agreements to meet current market demands.
Since its inception in 2008, ICAN has facilitated over 5,000 air service agreements worldwide, forming the regulatory foundation that enables international air transport.
These agreements are crucial for:
- Opening new air routes between countries
- Expanding passenger and cargo capacity
- Fostering competition and market access
- Supporting economic development through enhanced connectivity
The next ICAN event is scheduled to take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in December 2025.
ICAO has a World Air Services Agreements (WASA) database that contains information on bilateral and multilateral air service agreements governing commercial air transport services between signatory countries. The (WASA) tool enables regulators and aviation experts to evaluate developments in the air transport field, run comparative analyses of air services agreements, assess the degree of liberalization, research route planning options.
WASA is a valuable resource for policymakers, aviation authorities, airlines, and other stakeholders involved in international air transport. It helps facilitate transparency, cooperation, and compliance with international aviation regulations, ultimately contributing to the development and growth of the global aviation industry.WASA contains texts and analyses of bilateral air services agreements and amendments that are officially registered with ICAO (Art. 83 of the Chicago Convention), as well as other agreements and arrangements. For a free demo, click here or send an email here.
