Aviation Law

The flying public, airlines, and governments will all agree on one date that changed commercial flying: that was September 11, 2001. The first edition of Aviation Law: Cases, Laws and Related Sources, described early consequences of that event, particularly compensation of victims and early tightening of aviation security. Subsequently laws and regulations affecting all aspects of aviation changed so rapidly that it became difficult to set a cut-off date for the second edition. The rapid flow of events made an update urgent.

Several gaps in the materials of the first edition became evident as the book was used. The authors filled those gaps, pruned old materials and added much new material describing not only the later developments, but also evolving economics and flight technology.

The objective of the case book is to offer a basic handbook for air law practitioners providing them with a starting point for almost any subject they may encounter. For example, a lawyer specializing in liability law will quickly be able to find basic materials on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), air carrier licensing, FAA certification, and labor law.

The book continues to present aviation law from the American point of view. Thus the book will be valuable for foreign air lawyers who are guiding foreign airlines in service to the very important North American pool of air traffic. The book also explains the international scene to American air lawyers so that they may guide their clients who provide foreign service.

New chapters on liability for cargo damage and for ground damages have been added and new materials on the legal rights of lessors, successors, actual carriers and code-shares. A chapter on environmental regulation of aviation noise and emissions is also new. All the main subjects listed in the first edition are significantly updated.

The three authors are veteran transportation lawyers and continue their activities in this field.