ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief history of internationalism in civil aviation so that people will gain an awareness of how Communication, Navigation, Surveillance - Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems came into being. It describes the workings and functioning of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and how these are related to CNS/ATM. In the intermittent years before 1910, several international gatherings took place which attempted to deal with regulatory issues mainly having to do with aerial crossings of international frontiers. The technical developments emanating out of World War I created a new situation as hostilities ended, especially regarding the safe and rapid transport of people and goods over long distances. Furthermore, ICAO is coordinating and monitoring the implementation of CNS/ATM systems on a global basis, through the regional air navigation plans and a global coordinated plan as developed by the Future Air Navigation Systems Committee.
