Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Participation in Civil Aviation Policy and Decision Making

Abstract

This article discusses the role and influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in civil aviation. These organizations represent a way for united citizens to realize some of their global (national) interests, that is, to realize their ideals. NGOs participate in the work of international institutions and cooperate with specialized UN agencies. For the consideration of civil aviation NGOs, which have global coverage, the relationship and influence they achieve in relation to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a specialized agency of the UN is important. The participation of certain NGOs in the work of the Air Navigation Commission (ANC) as one of the key bodies of ICAO is particularly important. The diversity among all considered NGOs is quite large in terms of membership, setting goals, and organizing work. However, regardless of the differences, there are also numerous similarities that unite them on many issues and enable them to act together. The work of NGOs to create industrial standards in civil aviation has led to changes in certain aviation regulations, and to the introduction of certain standards thanks to the expert work of NGOs. The interaction of NGOs with the work of the aviation industry is reflected in several segments through safety standards, counseling, the creation of instructions, the exploitation of equipment and devices, ergonomics, and more. Cooperation with official institutions can sometimes be through forms that are not formal, and the intertwining of activities between NGOs and trade unions as a broader category of non-state actors is neither rare nor unusual in civil aviation. Although the work of NGOs in civil aviation and the influence they have on decision-makers is often criticized, this work should not be underestimated or overestimated.