Aerospace

ICAO Air Services Negotiation event in Abuja hosts 63 country delegations, delivers 212 new agreements

The ICAO 2022 Air Services Negotiation (ICAN) event, which ended on Friday evening in Abuja, Nigeria, had over 400 participants from 63 nations who signed 212 new international air services agreements.

In his opening remarks to the international negotiators, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano expressed the collective gratitude of ICAO and all present to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the event’s opening ceremonies by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

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He also emphasized that ICAN 2022’s attendance level was an important reminder “that the progressive resurgence of the air transport industry is proceeding at a post-pandemic pace,” noting that the agreements to be finalized there would only add to the recovery’s momentum.

Since the launch of ICAN in 2008, the ICAO forum has grown and evolved to the point that it has played host to over 5,000 bilateral meetings, resulting in close to 4,000 agreements and arrangements.

ICAO promotes several key priorities for States when supporting 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, and the UN agency is presently working on a new Convention on Foreign Investment in Airlines to help support this multilateral progress.

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Further priorities include commitments to convergent and effective regulatory practices supported by good governance, and recognition of the need for modernized infrastructure and passenger facilitation processes to support future safety, security, emissions, capacity, and resilience objectives.

All of the above are also expected to be accompanied by effective national competition and consumer protection frameworks, and full compliance with current ICAO policy guidance on taxes, charges, and fees.

“The work undertaken during this ICAN event is critical to all aspects of ICAO’s air transport objectives, as well as to the future sustainable growth and resilience of international aviation in the post-COVID-19 era,” remarked President Sciacchitano.

“ICAO will continue to maintain its firm commitment to work with States, regional and sub-regional bodies in the development of measures to foster cooperation, including the development of liberalized arrangements towards achieving the long-term vision for international air transport liberalization,” he concluded. While in Abuja, President Sciacchitano also discussed further priorities for Nigerian, African, and global air transport with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Aviation of Nigeria, Senator Hadi Sirika.

Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

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The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.