The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) successfully concluded a one-day international workshop on the Importance of Air Transport Facilitation.

The workshop took place on March 12, 2024 and brought together 80 participants from European Civil Aviation Authorities, Airlines, Airports, the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP), the Eurocontrol organization, IATA, as well as the co-competent Hellenic Police and the National Public Health Organization.

With constructive discussions around the criticality of Air Transport Facilities, the conference focused, among other things, on the importance of preparing everyone involved, to deal with crises that require coordination (such as health crises - covid19) as well as seasonally increased air traffic for tourism purposes.

New control technologies, which will be applied compulsorily in all European airports from the next summer season, will contribute both in this direction and in increasing the Security of air travel with short but comprehensive control procedures of the traveling passenger, and especially of the passenger who enters the European Union.

The workshop was officially opened by Dr. Christos Tsitouras, Governor of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, focused on navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic and building resilience for future disruptions.

HCAA Governor, Dr Christos Tsitouras

The meeting was honored by the presence of both the Director of the ICAO Regional Office in Paris EUR/NAT, Mr. Nicolas Rallo, as well as other heads of Civil Aviation in Europe and their high-ranking executives.

Mr. Nicolas Rallo, Regional Director for the ICAO “European and North Atlantic”(EUR/NAT) Office

Mr. David Benito Astudillo, Spain's Director General of Civil Aviation, Member of the Coordinating Committee of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and Focal Point for Facilitation

Key areas of discussion included:

• National Pandemic Response and Facilitation: Participants shared best practices on how national coordination and adaptation of facilitation practices ensured essential travel continued during the pandemic.
• National Facilitation Programs and Committees: The workshop discussed the crucial role of National Facilitation Programs (NFPs) and National Air Transport Facilitation Committees (NATFACs) in fostering collaboration between stakeholders. Sharing best practices within these committees was identified as a cornerstone for achieving seamless travel experiences.
• Strengthening Resilience for Future Crises: Discussions explored strategies for building resilience within National Facilitation Programs and National Air Transport Facilitation Committees. This included preparedness measures, contingency planning, and the importance of maintaining open communication channels during emergencies.
• Best Practices for NATFACs: Participants exchanged successful strategies for effective NATFAC operation. Emphasis was placed on fostering inter-agency collaboration, data sharing, and developing clear communication protocols.
• Charting the Way Forward for Facilitation: The workshop examined emerging trends and opportunities in air transport facilitation, including the integration of new technologies and data-driven approaches to optimize processes.

International Partnerships and Harmonized Goals: The critical role of international and regional collaboration in defining and achieving harmonized facilitation goals was underscored. Participants explored ways to leverage global and regional expertise to drive local initiatives, fostering a more streamlined and efficient global air transport system.