MONTRÉAL, 7 April 2014 – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) announced today that a Diplomatic Conference, featuring the participation of 100 ICAO Member States and nine international organizations and institutions, has officially adopted a Protocol to amend the 1963 Tokyo Convention on offenses committed on aircraft.
The culmination of a four-year effort to modernize the Tokyo instrument, the new Protocol will address what had become recognized in recent years as a troubling escalation in the frequency of incidents involving disruptive and unruly passengers on scheduled commercial flights.
“This new Protocol to the Tokyo Convention significantly improves the ability of ICAO Member States to expand jurisdiction over related offenses to the State of the Operator and the State of Landing,” commented ICAO Council President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu. “It will also serve to enhance global aviation security provisions by expressly extending legal recognition and protections to in-flight security officers (IFSOs) from this point forward.”
Some 422 participants attended the ICAO diplomatic event, which saw Tan Siew Huay of Singapore elected as the Conference President. She was supported by five vice-presidents, namely Michael Jennison (United States), Norberto Luongo (Argentina), Levers Mabaso (South Africa), Malgorzata Polkowska (Poland) and His Highness Prince Turki Bin Faisal Al Saud (Saudi Arabia).
“ICAO appreciates the significant challenges undertaken by this conference and we are grateful for the diligent work of its participants and executive leadership,” noted ICAO Secretary General, Raymond Benjamin. “Enhancing aviation security in the context of improved passenger facilitation and connectivity is an important Strategic Objective of our Organization,” he added. “This new Protocol to the Tokyo Convention will make an important contribution to assuring the security of passengers and crew worldwide.”
All States are welcome to sign and ratify the new Protocol.
Related resources:
Text of 1963 Tokyo Convention (ENG/FR/SP): http://www.icao.int/Meetings/LC35/Refererences/Tokyo%20Convention.EN.FR.SP.pdf
Diplomatic Conference Documentation and other Resources: http://www.icao.int/Meetings/AirLaw/Pages/default.aspx
