MONTREAL – The International Civil Aviation Organization has urged governments to strengthen international air connectivity, warning that service disruptions and gaps between markets threaten economic growth and supply chains.

The UN aviation agency is making the case ahead of the seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference in November, the first such gathering in more than a decade.

The conference will seek agreement among governments, regulators and industry leaders on reforms to the global economic framework for aviation.

International aviation carries more than a third of the world’s trade by value and is critical to trade, investment, tourism and workforce mobility, ICAO said Friday.

But smaller markets and emerging economies often face higher costs, less frequent service and less reliable connections. The disparity was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, when lower-density markets generally recovered more slowly and some air links disappeared.

ICAO said outdated international air service agreements, many of which were designed to protect national carriers, can restrict market access and competition. Airport congestion, limited slots and lengthy landing permit approvals can also hinder the launch of new services.

Low-density routes are particularly vulnerable because airlines tend to prioritize markets with stable demand and predictable revenues, the agency said.

ICAO is calling for broader market access, greater competition and closer cooperation among governments on aviation, customs and border policies. It also supports streamlined approvals, more flexible visa regimes and partnerships such as codesharing to help airlines serve more markets.

The agency said governments also need to update regulatory frameworks to accommodate new technologies and business models while supporting long-term investment.

The November conference is part of ICAO’s effort to advance its vision of air transport for all by 2050.