Italian National Day reception honours former ICAO president's aviation legacy
Salvatore Sciacchitano recognized for 46-year career as aviation sector faces 2.4M worker shortage by 2040.
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A Montreal Italian National Day reception Monday honoured Salvatore Sciacchitano, former president of the Montreal-headquartered International Civil Aviation Organization, for his lifetime professional achievements. The event, hosted by Italy's delegation to ICAO, centered on his vision for aviation's future.
Sciacchitano spent 46 years working in national, European, and international aviation roles. Sergio Martes, ambassador representative of Italy on the ICAO Council, presented him with a declaration in recognition of his career.
"It's a way to give the best gratification of the work that I've been doing over the years and a real appreciation," Sciacchitano said. "Something that will keep me as a conclusion of my career."
His central concern: cultivating the next generation. "By 2040, the traffic will double, and aviation will miss 2.4 million employees, aviation professionals," he said. "There is a need to push a young generation towards aviation. And in particular women. There's only five per cent of women in aviation."
Martes framed the celebration as more than ceremony. "The Italian Republic Day is celebrated worldwide by our consulates and embassies," he told the crowd. "But here, the ICAO in Montreal has got a special and nice taste, because our constitution and our way of making diplomacy have a lot in common with the way international organizations work."
He also highlighted Italy's role as the world's fourth-largest exporting nation, previewing videos showcasing Italian production across industry, agriculture, and tourism.