Legal Definitions - air-transport agreement

An air-transport agreement (also known as an air-services agreement) is a formal contract or understanding that establishes the rules and conditions for operating air services. These agreements are most commonly made between two or more governments to regulate international flights between their respective territories, covering aspects like routes, flight frequencies, and capacity.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Bilateral Passenger Flight Agreement: Imagine the governments of Japan and Australia signing an air-transport agreement. This agreement would specify which airlines from each country are permitted to operate flights between Japanese and Australian cities, the number of flights allowed per week on particular routes (e.g., Tokyo to Sydney), and the types of aircraft that can be used. It might also cover details like landing rights, pricing flexibility, and safety standards. This clearly demonstrates an intergovernmental contract governing the operation of international air services.

• International Air Cargo Agreement: A separate air-transport agreement might be established between the United Kingdom and India specifically for air cargo services. This agreement would define the routes and frequency for dedicated freight aircraft carrying goods between major logistics hubs like London Heathrow and Mumbai. It would ensure that cargo airlines from both nations have the necessary permissions to transport goods, facilitating international trade. This illustrates an agreement focused on a specific type of air service (cargo) between countries.

• Regional Open Skies Agreement: Several countries within a geographical region, such as a group of nations in Southeast Asia, might enter into a broader "open skies" air-transport agreement. This type of agreement typically liberalizes air travel by removing many restrictions on routes, capacity, and pricing for airlines from the participating countries. The goal is to foster competition and make air travel more accessible and affordable within the region. This shows a multi-governmental agreement setting comprehensive rules for air services across multiple territories.