The Politics Of International Air Transport

An examination of the politics of international aviation. Topics covered include international conflicts and the safety of air travel, ICAO in the United Nations context, and the problems related to terrorism in the sky, such as setting security standards in airports.

Many of the problems and opportunities facing society today are determined by issues of mobility. Access to people, products, information and resources has emerged as a priority in the foreign policies of most states. Inevitably, considerations of national interest have played a central role in the structure and operations of the international aviation system. Meanwhile, air transport has been a catalyst for the phenomenon of globalization. This first in-depth exploration of the vital relationship between aviation policy and national interest in todays global economy focuses on those areas of concern where the international community has common ground or where conflicts of interest are most likely to arise. Revealing deeply informed perspectives gained from decades of distinguished public service in many areas of aviation policy, Erwin von den Steinen reviews the rules that govern the conduct of commercial air services between nations and considers the prospects of aviation in the 21st Century. He explains how timely understanding of national interest can provide a context for global and local policy to connect, and why the international aviation system is vital for the peaceful and sustainable development of modern states and societies. With such insights and powerful, practical recommendations, von den Steinens analysis will be of enormous value to those concerned with air transport, from technical research and design to the highest levels of government, as well as to lawyers and academics in international law and relations. and“a tour of the major issues in international aviation law and policy under the guidance of an authentic homme engageand Ultimately, this book is the work of someone who deeply appreciates the aviation industry both at its technical level, that of its often-frustrating machinations of law and policy, and also at the emotional level of a special business that exemplifies freedom and imagination like few others do.and” Brian F. Havel and“The Introduction has one of the best free flowing leads to a book detailing the politics of aviation and diplomacy I have come acrossand . I commend this book to lawyers, diplomats and students of aero-politics and lawand . I would prescribe this book to my graduate students as compulsory reading for their course in Aero-political and legal Environment.and” Dr Ruwantissa Abeyratne

This book is a political–economic analysis of China’s transformation to become a global aviation power. It aims to identify the driving forces that have shaped China’s ever-evolving international air transport policy direction and goals in the past four decades and further determines how and to what extent these driving forces have shaped China’s considerations and strategies when executing its policy goals through bilateral air services negotiations. The findings reveal that China’s international air transport policymaking has remained in the domain of the country’s aviation regulator, which has enjoyed an exclusivity to exercise its power on the air transport sector. The book argues that China’s international air transport policy direction is in alignment with the country’s overall strategic mission and its goal is set to support the country’s endeavour to realise the “China dream.” It concludes that factors at all levels interact with each other with a far-reaching impact on the country’s policy direction and goal setting; however, these factors are constrained by time and circumstances. The book is a must-read for a wide array of audiences, including, but not limited to, scholars and industry professionals who have an interest in China’s political economy, policymaking, international trade, government behaviour, corporate political activities, air transport, aviation liberalisation, and bilateral negotiations.

Africa is the smallest of the ‘regional’ aviation markets but one that Boeing and others expect to expand over the medium term. Developments on the continent that require the creation of robust and efficient air transport include growth in tourism, the export of ‘exotics’, and the emergence of modern manufacturing and high-tech industries. Africa’s regional aviation markets generally lack good airports and air traffic control, viable airlines, and adequately skilled labour. Airline safety is also a major concern. Written by a ‘Who’s Who’ of aviation specialists and policy makers, The Economics and Political Economy of African Air Transport fills an emerging void in the literature regarding Africa’s aviation markets. Its original papers focus explicitly on the economic and political dimensions of the subject, although with relevance to the strategic planning and management of airlines and their associated infrastructure. Topics discussed include external and internal market efficiencies, air service liberalization, the emergence of new carriers, safety and security, low cost airline and other business models, and airport economics. Focusing on the broader issues surrounding the subject, this book will be of interest to both the aviation community and those with an interest in economic and social development.

First Published in 1965 Politics and the Airlines looks into the making of airline policy in five countries, Australia, Britain, Canada, India, and the United States. It shows the part played by political parties, ministers, government departments, regulatory bodies, and the boards of management of airlines themselves. In four of the countries the major airlines are publicly owned and have been involved in the cut and thrust of political controversy between enthusiasts for public enterprise and their opponents. In those countries where publicly owned and privately owned airlines compete, the politics of the airlines industry are particularly interesting. Dr Corbett’s study of these mixed, regulated airlines industries deal with the subject in a new way and presents a general analysis. His analysis could equally well be applied to other industries which are at present constructed along the same lines. The discussion is presented against a background of the history of a fascinating industry and Dr Corbett maintains that the advantage of this form of industry lies in its political efficiency as much as in its attractions to consumers and employees. This is a must read for those interested in the history of aviation industry, public policy, and public administration.