On November 21-23, Ms. Connie Wilson-Hunter, Senior Advisor, and Mr. Steven Kloos, Analyst, represented The Wicks Group (TWG) at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Air Transport Meeting held in Georgetown, Guyana. Co-hosted by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and ICAO, the conference brought together aviation representatives and industry stakeholders from numerous organizations, including states and territories from around the world to discuss challenges and opportunities in the aviation industry.
The conference built on the outcome of the Special Event on Promoting Air Links between African States and the Diaspora held in Accra, Ghana on March 30, 2017 which promoted tourism and air links between African States and diaspora communities, especially in the Caribbean region. Speakers and panelists also discussed practical solutions to removing existing regulatory impediments to air transport liberalization and financing the development of quality aviation infrastructure.
Ms. Hunter participated in a panel on promoting air links between African states and the Diaspora, a discussion with Lt. Col. Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, along with other panelists. During the panel, Ms. Hunter highlighted the critical role of air transport in enhancing cultural and commercial connectivity between Diaspora states—such as Guyana—and the African continent. Ms. Hunter also underscored the need for industry buy-in, saying that increased trade between Africa and the Diaspora will generate additional cargo flights which will in turn generate demand for passenger air transport.
Following the panel, Mr. Boubacar Djibo, the Director of ICAO’s Air Transport Bureau, thanked Ms. Hunter for her insightful contribution to the discussions, and also added that Ms. Hunter’s participation was “very beneficial to the participants and added significantly to the success of the event.”
TWG is a multi-disciplinary legal and consulting firm that provides specialized services to clients with aviation and transportation-related interests world-wide. TWG advises countries across the globe on achieving their civil aviation development objectives, whether achieving compliance with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or establishing international best practices to foster economic growth.
For more information about TWG’s services related to implementing international standards and participation in ICAO’s Air Transport Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, please contact Ms. Connie Wilson-Hunter at ciwhunter@wicks-group.com or (202) 457-7790.