Doha, 14–17 April 2025 – The Italian Delegation to ICAO participated in the 2025 Facilitation Conference, organized by ICAO and hosted by the State of Qatar, on the theme “Facilitating the Future of Air Transport: Collaboration, Efficiency, Inclusivity.”
Representing Italy officially, Ambassador Sergio Martes, Permanent Representative to ICAO, took part in the proceedings, confirming our country’s strong commitment to promoting a civil aviation system that is increasingly inclusive, accessible, and respectful of passengers’ rights.
On behalf of ENAC, Dr. Mark De Laurentiis, Director of Passenger Rights Protection, spoke in the panel dedicated to “Accessibility in International Civil Aviation.” His contribution provided an overview of Italy’s main initiatives in support of Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRMs), the result of joint work between authorities, operators, and associations—particularly through the permanent technical body Italian Disability Advisory Board promoted by ENAC.
Among the best practices presented were the “One Click Away” project, which simplifies direct access to information for PRMs on airline websites; the Safety Briefing Card for visually impaired and blind passengers, developed in collaboration with ITA Airways and the National Federation of Institutions for the Blind; and the program “Autism: Travelling through the Airport”, active in 25 Italian airports, which allows individuals on the autism spectrum to familiarize themselves with the airport environment through realistic flight simulations.
The panel was moderated by Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, ICAO Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador and former Council President, and gathered institutional representatives and international organizations including the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Authority of People with Disability of Saudi Arabia, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the organization Reduced Mobility Rights.
Italy’s intervention demonstrated a continued commitment to a more equitable, accessible, and human rights–oriented civil aviation, in line with ICAO’s founding principles and with a vision of inclusive and practical multilateral cooperation.
