National Interest and International Aviation

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.

"a tour of the major issues in international aviation law and policy
under the guidance of an authentic homme engage. 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." Brian F. Havel

"The Introduction has one of the best free flowing leads to a book detailing
the politics of aviation and diplomacy I have come across.. I commend this
book to lawyers, diplomats and students of aero-politics and law.. I would
prescribe this book to my graduate students as compulsory reading for their
course in Aero-political and legal Environment." Dr Ruwantissa Abeyratne