ICAO Annex 17

Annex 17 is one of the annexes to the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation. It was first adopted in 1974 in response to a rise in hijackings and has been amended repeatedly as threats evolved. Its provisions are expressed as Standards, which states are expected to apply, and Recommended Practices, which are desirable but not binding in the same way — together known as SARPs. The annex covers organisation, preventive security measures, management of response to acts of unlawful interference, and information sharing among states.

Annex 17 does not operate in isolation. It is supported by guidance such as the ICAO Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973) and is reinforced through ICAO's Universal Security Audit Programme, which assesses how effectively states implement the standards. Crucially, Annex 17 sets the floor: states translate its obligations into binding domestic requirements, most directly through a National Civil Aviation Security Programme, and may impose stricter measures than the SARPs require.

For operators flying internationally, Annex 17 is the common reference that makes security expectations interoperable between states. Tools that organise aviation security intelligence, including AeroVigil, are most useful when their outputs map onto this established regulatory framework rather than sitting beside it.