Monrovia, Liberia — Liberia strengthened its international aviation partnerships as a high-level delegation led by the Director-General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), Julius D. Dennis, participated in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2025). The forum was held from November 10–14 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
ICAN serves as a major global platform where ICAO Member States negotiate and update bilateral and multilateral air service agreements ~ critical tools for enhancing international connectivity. Liberia’s delegation included Ms. Audrey Zoe Johnson, Director of Air Transport and Economic Relations.
The LCAA used the event to advance its air transport agenda through renewed partnerships and technical cooperation.
One of the major outcomes was the reactivation process of the longstanding 1977 Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Liberia and Spain. Director-General Dennis held discussions with the Kingdom of Spain, culminating in the signing of a Record of Discussions with Madame Veronica Elvira, Deputy Director-General for Air Transport at Spain’s Ministry for Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
Beyond the Spain engagement, Liberia concluded several bilateral meetings and signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with aviation authorities from Guyana, Hong Kong, Seychelles, Oman, and Morocco. These agreements are expected to support route expansion, regulatory cooperation, and sector development.
Throughout the negotiations, DG Dennis reaffirmed President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to elevating Liberia’s aviation standards. He emphasized the LCAA’s two-pronged strategy: addressing the two Significant Safety Concerns identified in the 2022 ICAO USOAP audit and leveraging progress to build a sustainable aviation industry.
Dennis also appealed to international partners for technical assistance and capacity-building opportunities for LCAA inspectors and technical staff, a move aimed at strengthening institutional performance.
The Liberian delegation also took part in high-level discussions shaping the future of global aviation.
During ICAN’s opening ceremony, delegates attended a High-Level Roundtable on the upcoming Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf/7), a key forum for refining global regulatory and economic frameworks.
Liberia also joined a special event hosted by the African Union’s African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), marking 26 years since the Yamoussoukro Decision. The session highlighted efforts to expand inter-African routes under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship initiative aimed at liberalizing African skies.
The outcomes of ICAN 2025 mark a significant boost for Liberia’s aviation sector, positioning the country to improve international connectivity, strengthen safety oversight, and expand cooperation with global aviation partners.
LCAA release says the engagements in Punta Cana represent a renewed commitment to modernizing the nation’s air transport industry and ensuring Liberia is fully integrated into the evolving global aviation landscape.
