CONTROL OF AIR ROUTES

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 21, 19 October 1944, Page 5

CONTROL OF AIR ROUTES

Convention Mooted BRITISH WHITE PAPER (British Official Wireless.) (Received. October 18, 8.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 18. A White Paper setting out the Brit- , ish Government’s general policy regarding post-war international air transpor has been presented to Parliament it lays down the principles which should govern post-war arrangements and a proposed new air convention to give effect to them. It also suggests international machinery which should administer the convention. . Summing up the major national aviation evils, the White Paper states that they were: First, that any country on an inter national air route could hold the opera tions of other countries to ransom, even if they only wished to fly planes over, or refuel in, its territory. . Secondly, there was no means .of controlling heavy subsidization of air lines, which all too often were maintained at great cost for reasons mainly of national prestige or as a war potential. Thirdly, bargaining for transit and commercial rights introduced extraneous considerations and gave rise to international jealousies and mistrust. The British Government desired to see a radical change in this situation -liter the war. Recent technical advances had increased enormously both the range and carrving capacity of transport aircraft. Modern multiple-engined aircraft made possible the development of a network or air routes which already span the world. The potentialities of air transport were great indeed. So also would be its influence for good or ill on international relations. The development of air transport should proceed under enlightened international direction. Main Objectives. Accordingly the view of the British Government is that some form of international collaboration will be essential if the air is to be developed in the interests of mankind as a whole, trade served, international undertakings fostered and some means of international security gained. The main objectives, such as collaboration, would be: ■First, to meet the needs of the peoples of the world for plentiful and efficient. air services. This would entail the definition of international air routes, to be reviewed when necessary. Secondly, to maintain, a broad equilibrium in the world’s air transport capacity and the traffic offering, . . Thirdly, to ensure an equitable participation by the. various countries engaged in international air transport. Fourthly, to eliminate wasteful competitive practices, and particularly to control subsidies. . Fifthly, to standardize practice on technical matters important to the safety of flying. ... Sixthly, in general to contribute to world security. , Seventhly, to provide for the licensing of international air operators, such licences to be withdrawn in the event ot a breach of regulations. Unlicensed operators would be denied facilities. Eighthly, to provide for arbitration in matters of dispute. Duties of Convention. The British Government proposes therefore, that a new convention should be drawn up to take the place of the Paris convention of 1919, and the Havana convention of 1928,, and to make provision for the regulation of international air transport. It should reaffirm the principle o£. .national sovereignty of the air and define what should for this purpose constitute the territory of States, and also define the degree of freedom of the air to be enjoyed by the ratifying States conditional on acceptance m full of the remainder of the convention. Subject to the right of the States to reserve their positions in time of war or national emergency, it is proposed that the freedom of the air should extend to:— First, the right of innocent passage through a State’s air space. Secondly, the right to land, for nontraffic purposes, that is refuelling, emergency, and so on. Thirdly, the right to disembark passengers, mails and freight from the country of the aircraft’s origin. Fourthly, the right to embark passengers, mails and freight destined for the country of the aircraft’s origin. It is also recommended that the convention should define the international air routes which should be subject to international regulation and provide for the elimination of non-economic competition. For the administration of the convention it is proposed an international air authority should be'established, first, with operational executive with subsidiary regional panels, and secondly, subcommissions for technical matters. This authdrity, which would in due course be placed in proper relationship to the world security organization, would comsist of representatives of the ratifying States. „ These are the broad outlines of the Government’s proposals and are of a provisional nature subject to a modification in the light of the views expressed by othecountries.