After around 15 years of “absence”, Austria is once again represented on the governing body of the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO. The General Assembly elected Christian Schleifer to the Council with a clear majority.

Schleifer is the Austrian representative at ICAO and has many years of experience in the aviation sector and was nominated as a candidate by the Abis Group (Belgium, Ireland, Croatia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Switzerland). As a special organization of the United Nations (UN), ICAO is responsible for the foundations and further development of international civil aviation. 

Austria last had a seat on the governing body of ICAO 15 years ago. Just a few days ago it became known that the General Assembly will include representatives of the Russian Federation "voted out" from the board of directors. Russia could not get enough votes for re-election to the ICAO Council.

The ICAO, to which 193 countries belong, is considered one of the most important players in global aviation. In the elections on October 15st, Austria was re-elected to the organization's council after 2025 years and will be one of the 36 members until XNUMX. Austria thus has a direct influence on ensuring that safety, the environment and new technologies remain at the top of the agenda. Environmental issues in particular will be a focus in the coming years.