In a latest development, Pakistan denied use of its airspace to a Srinagar-Sharjah direct flight - operated by low-cost airline GoFirst (formerly known as GoAir) - that was recently inaugurated. The plane was to operate in Pakistan's airspace.
Context
In a latest development, Pakistan denied use of its airspace to a Srinagar-Sharjah direct flight - operated by low-cost airline GoFirst (formerly known as GoAir) - that was recently inaugurated. The plane was to operate in Pakistan's airspace.
Freedom of air
- Freedom of air refers to a country that gives foreign airlines the right to use and/or land another country’s airspace.
- Freedom from air rule came from the Chicago Convention in 1944.
- The signatories to the convention decided to set rules that would act as fundamental building blocks to international commercial aviation.
- The conference provides for nine air freedoms, but only the first five freedoms have been officially recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Five air freedoms
- First Right of Freedom: It is granted by one State to another State or States to fly across its territory without landing.
- In the case of GoFirst (India airline), it used to fly Pakistani airspace (second country) and live in the UAE (third country).
- Second Freedom of Rights: A right or privilege, in respect of an organized international airline, granted to one State to another state or states to land its territory for non-traffic purposes.
- This means that an Air India flight from New Delhi to New York can land at a British airport for refueling without boarding or dropping off passengers.
- Third Freedom of Rights: To put down, in the territory of the First State, traffic coming from the home State of the carrier.
- Fourth Right to Freedom: To take on, in the territory of the First State, traffic destined for the home State of the carrier.
- Fifth Amendment Freedom: To put down and to take on, in the territory of the First State, traffic coming from or destined to a third State.
International Civil Aviation Organization
- It is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency, established in 1944, that lays the foundation for the standards and procedures for peaceful global air navigation.
- The Convention on International Civil Aviation was signed on 7 December 1944 in Chicago.
- It established the core principles permitting international transport by air, and also led to the creation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
- Purpose: To promote the planning and development of international air transport to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world.
- Members: India has between 193 members.
- Headquarter: Headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
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