Historical background that led to the establishment of the Convention of Chicago

The Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, was established on December 7, 1944. The background for its establishment can be traced back to the early days of aviation, when the use of airplanes for commercial and military purposes was rapidly expanding.

In the 1920s and 1930s, the growth of international air travel led to the need for a set of rules and regulations to govern the use of airspace and ensure the safety of flights. During this time, several international conferences were held to discuss the issue, but no agreements were reached.

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 further highlighted the need for a unified system of international civil aviation. The war caused widespread destruction of airports and air navigation facilities, and it became clear that a new international organization was needed to oversee the reconstruction and operation of these facilities.

In 1944, representatives from 52 countries met in Chicago to draft a convention that would establish the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The convention was signed on December 7, 1944, and it came into force on April 4, 1947.

The Convention on International Civil Aviation established the framework for international cooperation in the field of civil aviation, including the regulation of air navigation, safety, and the protection of the environment. It also set out the principles for the operation of international air services, including the freedom of the skies, the principle of non-discrimination, and the right to overfly territory.

The Convention on International Civil Aviation is widely considered as one of the most successful international agreements and it has been ratified by 191 countries, it is considered as a cornerstone of the international civil aviation system and it continues to be the basis for the development of international air law.