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  • Manik Pahuja
    • Jul 23
    • 8 min read

International Aviation Law: Regulations in Three Dimensions

Manik Pahuja,

Sardar Patel Subharti Institute of Law

International Aviation Law: Regulations in Three Dimensions

Introduction

International aviation law is a compound and constantly evolving field. It consists of regulations and statutes, international as well as domestic , that controls and takes charge of the functioning of aircraft and the personnel as well. These regulations and laws are classified as Public and Private regulations. Public regulations advocate aviation safety and air traffic management, on the other hand Private regulations cover the commercial side of aviation. Major international regulations include the Tokyo Convention, the Chicago Convention, and the Warsaw Convention, that establish the general framework for international aviation operations. These conventions are supplemented by other international regulations, i.e. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), that issues guidance on aviation security, safety, and environmental protection.

In addition to this, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issue domestic regulations specifically to their respective countries. These regulations have initiations for pilots and other personnel, like essentials for licensing, training, and medical qualifications.

These regulations are enforced by a number of international organisations and agreements, playing a significant role in securing the orderly and safe conduct of international air travel. This article delves into and explores the regulations in three dimensions: safety, security, and environmental sustainability.

1. Safety Regulations

Safety is paramount in aviation, the regulations primarily aimed at prevention of accidents and incidents.

Structure

· International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):

o It was established by the Chicago Convention in 1947, ICAO, which frames out international standards and regulations essential for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and regularity. (1)

o The Convention on International Civil Aviation, was drafted by 54 nations in the year 1944, it is a specialized agency of the United Nations, developed to boost cooperation and maintain peace among the nations. It laid down the key principles for international air travel, and resulted in the creation of the specialized agency. The ICAO is responsible for developing the international standards and recommended practices (SARPs) which must be complied by all the airlines in order to get permitted to operate internationally. These SARPs undertake a wide range of topics, i.e. aircraft design, operations, and maintenance. These SARPs are updated and amended regularly, and all countries are required to adhere to the latest version. As such, it is necessary for pilots and other personnel to stay updated with the latest changes in the industry.

· European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA):

o It is an agency of the European Union which has been assigned with the regulatory and executive tasks in the field of aviation safety. The Agency add up to a crucial part of the European Union’s strategy to establish and guard the uniform level of civil aviation safety in Europe.(2)

o   It provides technical competence to the European Commission by supporting the drafting of rules for aviation safety in different areas and related international agreements. The Agency has been given the power to perform executive tasks related to aviation safety, including the certification of aeronautical products and organisations entailed in their design, production and maintenance.

· Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

o The FAA impacts global safety standards due to its strict regulations and large airspace. It is the agency of the U.S. federal government  responsible for maintaining the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in the United States and in neighbouring international waters. It was originally established as the independent Federal Aviation Agency in 1958, which was incorporated into the newly developed Department of Transportation as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1967(3).

o The FAA has authority over air traffic control and the training and certifying the pilots and aviation technicians. It prepares safety and efficiency standards for all U.S. airports and keeps check on domestic aviation through its Flight Standards District Offices. The FAA is primarily responsible for civil aviation, but it has also developed air traffic control and navigation systems for the military aircraft. It guides the commercial space transportation industry by providing standards for and licence to commercial launch vehicles. The FAA is headed by an administrator who is a reporter  of the U.S. secretary of transportation. The agency is divided into five major regulatory offices  as “Lines of Business” i.e. Air Traffic Organization, Airports, Aviation Safety, Commercial Space Transportation, and Security & Hazardous Materials Safety.

Functions

· Annexes to the Chicago Convention:

o ICAO's 19 Annexes cover all the aspects of international civil aviation, including licensing of personnel on certain grounds of qualification and requirements, operations of the aircraft , and the airworthiness.

· Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP):

o The first GASP was introduced by ICAO in the year 1997 by a formalised series of conclusions and recommendations set up during an informal meeting between the ICAO Air Navigation Commission and industry. The GASP was used to regulate the technical work programme of ICAO and updated regularly to ensure its constant relevance. The GASP is reviewed and updated every three years,  before each session of the ICAO Assembly.

o It develops a strategy that provides for the prioritization and continuity of aviation safety. The GASP, along with the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), states the framework in which regional and national aviation safety plans be established and implemented, and provides for harmonization and coordination of efforts to improve international civil aviation safety, capacity and efficiency(4)

o The purpose of the GASP is to constantly lower fatalities, and the risk concerned, by developing a harmonized aviation safety strategy, national aviation safety plans and regional aviation safety plans. This plan builds up the strategy for improving aviation safety worldwide, sets global safety targets, and promotes collaboration between the member states.(5)

2. Security Regulations

Aviation security provides and involves measures for protection of passengers, the crew of aircraft, the personnel deployed at ground, and the aircraft from unlawful disturbance and interference.

Structure

· ICAO's Annex 17:

o Annex 17 of ICAO contains Standards and Recommended Practices providing for the security of international air transport and is amended on a. regular basis to address the evolving threat. It is a detailed document for implementation of security measures, that incorporates an attachment of results from other Annexes, the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and Procedures for Air Navigation Services, putting stress on action undertaken by States from prevention of unlawful interference with civil aviation, or on occurrence of such interference.

o This Annex particularly addresses aviation security, detailing alignments for safeguarding international civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference.

· Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

o The TSA is a national body but its regulations and practices often affect global aviation security protocols. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) safeguards the nation's transportation systems ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA's Domestic Aviation Operations is an incharge of nearly 440 Federalized airports, that screens more than 2 million passengers on daily basis, and over 815 million passengers annually. TSA’s Surface Operations provide a huge U.S. transportation network of tunnels, railroad tracks, ports, roadways, and pipelines.

· Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts relating to international civil aviation 2010:

o The Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts relating to international civil aviation also known as Beijing Convention 2010 including its protocols modernises the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation, 1971 and its Supplementary Protocol of 1988 which were signed in Montreal.(6)

o Parties who ratified the Beijing Convention agreed to criminalise the using of civil aircraft as weapons, use of dangerous materials for attacking aircraft or related targets on the ground, illegal transport of Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear (“BCN”) weapons, acts of hijacking by coercion or technological means. Both the Convention and Supplementary Protocol also cover the criminal liability and accountability of the directors and organisers of an offence. A credible threat to commit the offence is also accountable.

o The Beijing Convention also widens the grounds of jurisdiction under the previous instruments by requiring each State Party to set up jurisdiction when its national commits the offence or the victim of the offence is its national. Also the legal entity i.e. a company or any body corporate, such as an airline can be held criminally liable if the applicable national law provides.

Functions

· Security Management Systems (SeMS):

o These systematic approaches are established to manage the security risks, incorporating organizational structures, policies, accountabilities, and procedures.

· Risk-Based Security:

o It Focuses on identifying and reducing risks through the intelligence and threat analysis, resulting in adaptive security measures.

3. Environmental Sustainability Regulations

The aviation industry is an important contributor to environmental pollution, prompting strict regulations to mitigate its impact.

Structure

· ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP):

o   The Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, a technical committee of the ICAO Council, was established in 1983. This committee set up new policies and standards to reduce the environmental impact of aviation. CAEP aids the Council in formulating new policies and embracing new Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) related to the aircraft noise and emissions, and particularly to aviation environmental impact. CAEP undertakes various studies, as requested by the Council.

· Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA):

o ICAO developed and adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation in October 2016 with the objective of having carbon neutral growth from 2020. Starting in 2021, the scheme is optional for all countries but will be made compulsory to abide by in 2027. It aims to stabilise carbon emissions from international aviation through a market-based mechanism.(7)

Fuctions

· Emissions Standards:

o Provides Regulations that limit the amount of pollutants in aircraft which can be emitted by engines as provided in ICAO's Annex 16, Volume II.

· Noise Standards:

o ICAO's Annex 16, Volume I, establishes standards for aircraft noise, and  contributes to the minimisation of noise pollution around airports.

· Alternative Fuels:

o Encouragement of the growth, development and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to lower the industry's carbon footprint.

Challenges

The implementation of international aviation regulations confronts a number of challenges, including distinguishing national interests, technological advancements, and the need for constant updates to regulations.

· Technological Advancements:

o The rise of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and urban air mobility (UAM) puts new regulatory challenges. The adoption of advanced materials and manufacturing processes needs 0updated safety and certification standards.

· Global Cooperation:

o Encouraging cooperation among international organizations and member states is essential for harmonizing regulations. Advocating the disparities in regulatory implementation among the developed and developing countries remains a core concern.

· Sustainability Initiatives:      

o Increasing the adoption of CORSIA and other market-based measures to accomplish long-term environmental goals. Encouraging investment in green technologies and infrastructure to aid sustainable aviation growth.

Conclusion

Overall, international aviation law is an extremely regulated field of law which is continuously developing and evolving. It is necessary for pilots and other personnel to stay updated with the latest developments and changes in the industry in order to secure the safety of passengers and crew, working in accordance with regulations and laws as well. International aviation law functions within a multi-dimensional regulatory framework encompassing safety, security, and environmental sustainability. As the aviation industry develops the regulations governing it must also change, for ongoing international collaboration and innovation. By cohering to and changing these regulations, the global aviation community can ensure the safety and sustainable air travel for future generations.

References

2. EU Monitor, https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vgdygixpu0rk (last visited on July 9, 2024)

3. Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federal-Aviation-Administration (last visited on July 9, 2024)

7. IATA, https://www.iata.org/en/programs/environment/corsia/ (last visited on July 9, 2024)  

 

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