ICAO Secretary General Calls for Regulatory Clarity and Unity on Path to 2050 “Zero-Zero” Goal
Speaking at the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in Lima, Juan Carlos Salazar detailed the industry’s “unprecedented mandate” for safety and sustainability, warning that unpredictable regulations and taxes threaten progress.
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Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), issued a forceful call for regulatory certainty and government collaboration, framing them as essential to achieving the aviation industry's ambitious 2050 goals.
Speaking at the ALTA AGM & Airline Leaders Forum, Salazar emphasized that the sector has received an "unprecedented mandate" from its 193 member states to pursue a future built on zero fatalities and zero net carbon emissions.
This mandate, solidified at the recent 42nd ICAO Assembly, rests on a long-term strategic vision for 2050. Salazar detailed its three core aspirations: "zero fatalities from accidents," "zero net carbon emissions," and working "so that air connectivity is available for all people everywhere in the world."
The ICAO leader highlighted the unique position of the Americas, noting that while global transport is expected to triple by 2050, the "Latin America and Caribbean region... we expect that growth to be even higher and more vertiginous." To manage this growth, Salazar outlined a strategy focused on reinforcing data-driven safety, modernizing air navigation, deepening sustainability through cleaner energy, and ensuring resilient governance.
However, he issued two significant warnings regarding obstacles that could impede this progress. His first concern centered on regulatory unpredictability. "When the law is unpredictable and regulations become complex, airlines see costs and risks increase," Salazar stated. He stressed that ICAO is intensifying its collaboration with states and industry to implement "harmonized regulatory mechanisms that are efficient and fair."
His second major concern targeted the financial burden placed on the industry. "The Assembly reinforced ICAO's position that taxes and fees must be predictable, transparent, and must have a relation to the benefits the sector receives," he said. Salazar urged governments to prioritize the long-term strategic value that a strong commercial aviation sector brings to their economies over short-term fiscal measures.
Salazar concluded by framing sustainability as an "imperative for the sector," acknowledging the industry's investments in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), carbon offsets, and operational efficiency. He called for a united front to move "from strategy to action," stressing that success will depend on constant collaboration between ICAO, ALTA, governments, and airlines to create the conditions for a safe, sustainable, and successful future for aviation.
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