Air Transport and the European Union examines the emergence of the EU as a major actor in aviation. It investigates how the EU was able to develop a common policy despite the existence of an established sectoral regime and against the opposition of most European states and their 'flag carriers'.

European Union External Competence and External Relations in Air Transport is an essential guide for all those interested in the development of European Union external relations in general and in the field of air transport in particular. Part I of the book offers a detailed analysis of the EU's internal and external competence in air transport and related topics, taking into account the amendments introduced by the Single European Act and the Treaty on European Union. A new vision is proposed of the development of external competence in air transport and a new classification of the Community's secondary legislative measures in this area. Part II offers a detailed analysis of the EU's external relations in air transport, including an analysis of the Air Transport Agreement with Norway and Sweden, the extension of the trans-European transport network, and the inclusion of air transport in recently concluded association and trade agreements. The many problems facing external relations, and the future prospects for such relations, are revealed. Community participation in civil aviation organizations is also discussed.

First published in 2000, this volume examines the role of industry representation in the EU in the case of the air transport industry. Air transport has contributed to areas including member state interdependence, national defence in foreign policy considerations and national identity in terms of ‘flag carrier’ airlines. Dinos Kyrou looks at specific case studies concerning aspects of integration of the air transport sector within the European Union. These case studies – an examination of a European Commission Proposal for a Council Directive and the attempt by the Commission to formulate a Proposal for a Council Regulation – are stages in the process of policy formulation which are aimed at enhancing the liberalisation which was completed de jure in 1992. In both cases, the increasing prominence of the Competition Directorate of the European Commission (DGIV) has been evident. Kyrou’s question is whether this reflects a restoration or a creation of pride and self.

Once a byword for the economic power of national government - with competition strictly regulated - European commercial aviation has now virtually become a market without state-imposed anticompetitive restrictions. Although intended to enhance competition, this situation has in fact driven airlines to form massive global alliances cartels that offer ever-shrinking benefits to the consumer. In this extraordinarily thorough, blow-by-blow analysis of how this happened ? or was allowed to happen ? one of the world?s most eminent aviation law authorities explores the subject with a lucid insight fully informed by historical breadth and a keen appreciation of current pressures. Commercial aviation emerges as the crucible par excellence of the convergence of prevailing global ideology, economics, and international law. Among the numerous interrelated topics investigated in depth by Professor Dempsey, the following may be mentioned: the principal actors, including scores of airlines, the European Union, and a number of air transport associations; the labyrinth of bilateral air transport agreements; the relevance of the Treaty of Rome?s competition rules and the EU merger regulations to air transport; the important Court of Justice cases that circumscribed the zone of application in which the competition rules can regulate air transport: French Seamen?s Case, Transport Policy Decision, Olympic Airway, Nouvelles Fronti?res, Ahmed Saeed, and the 2002 `Open Skies? Decision; the 1991 U.S.-EC agreement regarding the application of competition laws; the sequence of EU aviation regulatory `packages?; regulation of non-economic issues (air traffic congestion, noise limitations, air carrier liability, civil aviation accident/incident investigations, denied boarding compensation); the effect of the U.S. government?s increasing invocation of antitrust immunity; computer reservation systems (especially code-sharing procedures); jointly-owned web sites for ticket sales and other e-commerce joint ventures; frequent flyer program alliances; and the emergence of global megacarriers. The author?s presentation emphasizes the regulatory constructs that currently affect the European air transport market: pricing and tariffs, pooling of revenue, market access (licensing, capacity limits, traffic rights, slot allocation), ground handlings, cargo services, state aid, and the power of the EU to act on the commercial aviation world stage for Member States. Each of these areas of analysis begins with an overview of the general regulatory environment for that area followed by a detailed chronological delineation of relevant packages, proposals, resolutions, and regulations. Because of the enormous role played by international air transport with respect to gross national product, employment, and energy consumption, European Aviation Law is of great importance not only to European lawyers but to officials, policymakers, practitioners, and academics in a number of relevant fields worldwide.

Explores the organization of air transport in the European Union. The book analyzes the nature of the industries that supply air transport services and the institutional structure of air transport services. It also looks at impediments to increased efficiency in the provision of air transport.