The successful candidacy of aviation expert Christian Schleifer gives Austria a strong voice in shaping international air transport.

At the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal until October 7, Austria, represented by Christian Schleifer, was elected to the Council with a clear majority. With many years of experience in the aviation sector, he was nominated as a candidate for Abyss Group (Belgium, Ireland, Croatia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland). As a specialized organization of the United Nations (UN), ICAO is responsible for the foundation and further development of international civil aviation.

Christian Schleifer has spent the past eight years serving as Secretary General and CEO of EUROCAE, the leading international organization for the development of aeronautical standards based in Europe. “Environment is a priority for international aviation. My focus will therefore be on advancing ambitious measures such as developing markets for sustainable fuels and promoting climate-neutral technologies. “The defined goal is to be CO2 neutral by 2050,” says Shleifer.

Focus on environmental issues

Comprised of 193 countries, ICAO is considered one of the most important players in global aviation. In elections held on October 1, Austria was re-elected to the organization’s council after a 15-year absence and will remain one of 36 members until 2025. Austria has direct influence in 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. The long-term CO2 reduction target for international aviation deserves special mention.