PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is committed to seeing a sustainable and holistic recovery of global aviation after the pandemic, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       "We are now in the transition to the endemic phase of Covid-19 and we have the same goals to see countries worldwide recover economically and reopen their international borders," said the Transport Minister on his Facebook after receiving a courtesy visit from International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) president Salvatore Sciacchitano and his delegation at the ministry in Putrajaya on Thursday (May 19).

       The delegation, who arrived on Thursday, will be here until May 21 before continuing their working tour of the region.

       Dr Wee said he and Sciacchitano took the opportunity to exchange notes on issues of importance including Malaysia's efforts and development in managing the country's airspace in relation to Indonesia and Singapore, which will be presented to ICAO soon.

       "I expressed our commitment to supporting ICAO's efforts to develop global aviation safely and sustainability.

       "We also reiterated our aspiration to be re-elected to the 2022-2025 term of Part lll of the ICAO Council as Malaysia has always been committed to its role to help return aviation to a stable, sustainable and competitive industry alongside other member states," he added.

       The re-election to ICAO will be held in Montreal, Canada, during the 41st ICAO assembly from Sept 27 to Oct 14.

       The delegation also included the organisation's Asia-Pacific director Ma Tao.

       Also present were Transport Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Normah Osman, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Capt Chester Voo, Malaysia's permanent ICAO representative Flora Chin Lee Sa and Malaysian Aviation Commission chief operating officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin.