FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 15, 1999
Contacts: Heather Shadur, (312) 573-5478
Kara Gerhardt, (202) 366-5565
DOT 184-99
U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SLATER
ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL AVIATION CONFERENCE
TO BE HELD IN CHICAGO DEC. 5 - 7, 1999
International Leaders to Explore the Future of Aviation in
the 21st Century
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater announced today that representatives of the international aviation community – including transport ministers from throughout the world – will convene in Chicago on Dec. 5, 1999, to discuss the future of aviation in the new millennium.
The three-day conference, entitled Aviation in the 21st Century -- Beyond Open Skies, will address the enormous advances and developments that have taken place in aviation over the 55 years since the historic "Convention on International Civil Aviation" took place in Chicago in 1944. Out of that convention came recommended practices and procedures that have guided world aviation to this day. This conference also builds on President Clinton’s and Vice President Gore’s long-time commitment to ensure a strong, competitive aviation system.
"This ministerial will lead to the broadening of future aviation relationships worldwide, and a common vision of aviation in the 21st century that will benefit economies, enhance safety and security and improve the quality of service for passengers and shippers across the world," said Secretary Slater.
The conference is being hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the City of Chicago and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Those attending will include transport ministers and aviation director generals invited from more than 100 countries – including 70 with which the U.S. has bilateral aviation agreements; representatives of the major U.S. and international airlines and airports; labor; national and international aviation-related organizations; trade associations; manufacturers; and other representatives from the private sector. Attendance is expected to exceed 500 people.
"We welcome the world's aviation leaders to Chicago to honor the significance of the Chicago Convention, and continue to focus on the critical issues facing aviation into the 21st century," said Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
Air transport has grown far beyond even the most optimistic expectations, becoming essential to economic development and tourism and bringing the world community closer together. The U.S. is now examining the next steps for aviation liberalization across the world, particularly the future of the system of bi-lateral, nation-to-nation agreements that now regulate all international air travel. This conference is intended to foster dialogue and create an environment conducive to exploring those next steps and to foster a dialogue between government and industry on the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century aviation system.
The conference will include panels led by aviation experts, including Secretary Slater, transportation ministers from various countries, airline industry executives, labor and others, on topics including:
Aviation in the 21st Century -- Beyond Open Skies continues the efforts of President Clinton’s and Vice President Gore’s leadership on aviation issues to ensure a strong, competitive aviation system. Within weeks after taking office in 1993, President Clinton met with industry leaders in Seattle to discuss industry problems, including three years of heavy revenue losses, and ways to help address those concerns. Out of that meeting, a National Aviation Commission was established to develop recommendations for dealing with industry issues, most of which have been implemented. In April 1995, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a new U.S. international aviation policy statement that focused on creating greater access with its partner countries. Since then, the United States has achieved 38 open-skies agreements.
Over the past few months, Secretary Slater has met with many sectors of the U.S. aviation industry, as well as European, African and Latin American nations to develop a common vision of aviation in the 21st century. This conference is an opportunity to expand that vision globally, as well as to facilitate more productive international and aviation industry relationships.
More information about the Beyond Open Skies conference is available on the Internet at http://dot.jtpr.com.
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