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Paris Convention of 1919
One of the first meetings to discuss international aviation regulation, this convention sought to establish compromise, achieve a set of international regulations of the air, and discuss rights of nations to maintain sovereignty over airspace above and ability to exclude foreign aircraft provided there were no existing security issues present. Participants expressed a desire not to discriminate based on nationality of the aircraft. Some of ideas were later adopted by European nations. -
Havana Convention 1928
The Havana Convention in 1928 included a signing by 20 states of the Pan American Union. This further sought to regulate international aviation through the regulation of international commercial aviation air routes and customs procedures in the Americas. -
Warsaw Convention of 1929
Part of a continued movement to join the laws of many nations to create a cohesive set of laws for international aviation, this convention defined international transport as air travel in which passenger, baggage, or merchandise is being transported by an aircraft for compensation between points in two different countries, same country, and/or with stops outside of that country. Legislation was also created that made air carriers libel for damages that occurred during travel. -
Chicago Convention of 1944
The Chicago Convention of 1944 established this process of dividing up routes and also established the application of customs regulations and traffic rules. Several Agreements passed at this convention provided the rules of flying into and over foreign countries.
ne of the most important contributions of the Chicago Convention of 1944 was its future influence over these bi-lateral agreements (agreement with country that you are flying into). This convention gave birth to ICAO. -
International Air Transport Association
IATA (International Air Transport Association) was formed in 1945 and is a trade organization of sorts. It collaborates with the various organizations who participate in international air transportation. In addition, IATA cooperates with ICAO and promotes safe, regular, and economical international transport as well as fosters air commerce. Through a series of committees, IATA’s focus is fares and route structure of international air transport. -
Bermuda Agreement of 1946
This convention was a meeting between the U.S. and Great Britain to discuss restrictions on international routes. The U.S. believed there should be no restrictions on capacity or frequency that would inhibit future growth while Britain felt there should be some restrictions. A process for settling disputes on international aviation matters was constructed to include ICAO which would provide an advisory role. -
International Aviation Before Deregulation
During the days leading up to Deregulation in the United States, international aviation was beginning to experience great growth and new rules were being put to the test. One area that was virtually exempt from these laws were non-scheduled charter flights (supplemental). In 1970s, recession and inflation reduced profits and increased fares. Capacity agreements were hot topics in order to get a piece of the profit pie. This was further aggravated by the popularity of widebody jets. -
Bermuda II Agreement
The pressure on the Civil Aeronautics Board to regulate international aviation routes and fares eventually resulted in a compromise between the British and Americans in 1977 that allowed new airlines to enter the international market after pre-screening of the routes and far structures by the governments and IATA. This amendment to the Bermuda agreement is often known as the Bermuda II agreement. -
International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979
This Act was passed which was basically a re-issuance of the Deregulation Act of 1978 except for international operations. As mentioned this sought to increase competition abroad as well as opportunities for U.S. carriers. This also included greater opportunities for foreign carriers to operate in the United States. -
International Air Transportation Comepetition Act of 1979
The International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979 was passed which was basically a re-issuance of the Deregulation Act of 1978 except for international operations. As mentioned this sought to increase competition abroad as well as opportunities for U.S. carriers. This also included greater opportunities for foreign carriers to operate in the United States. -
Growth & Open Skies
In the mid 1980s there was growth in international aviation. The U.S. was able to negotiate restricted bi-lateral agreements in liberalized markets where growth would occur as well as highly restrictive agreements were there would be little growth. The seed was planted for open skies agreements but the concept would not re-emerge for many years. -
The Future
Countries will continue to negotiate bi-lateral agreements. The U.S. carefully picks their agreements and seeks to find equivalent opportunities. Code-sharing will also be a source of growth and opportunity. Furthermore, alliances and partnerships may grow route networks, increase customer service, and aid in competition. Finally, open skies agreements will be an area of interest and negotiation.
