International Air Navigation Cooperation

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) air traffic control conference was held in Montreal in 2003. European member states sought common ground on the subjects discussed. Mikko Talvitie, who will continue as interim chairman of the board of the Eurocontrol organisation, was one of those leading the discussions. The conference outlined the worldwide goals for air traffic administration until 2025. Delegates particularly focused on the importance of a safety culture and developing it in the various branches of air navigation. Other important issues involved the capabilities and capacity of air traffic control and the sufficiency of wavelengths used in aviation in the future, specifically as regards the use of satellite based navigation systems.

Also during the year the CAA took part in several research and development programmes of the European air traffic control organisation, Eurocontrol. A new project was initiated to compare the operations of service providers in various countries, in order to find more effective working practices and operational models for the benefit of all the member countries.