The Deregulation of Air Transport: An International Perspective

Chapter 3 provides a detailed analysis of the transformative deregulation processes within the global aviation industry, highlighting pivotal developments in North America, the European Union (EU), Asia Pacific, and South Africa. It begins with a historical overview of airline regulation and the academic consensus that influenced the Airline Deregulation Act of 1976 in the United States, setting a precedent for liberalisation efforts worldwide. The chapter examines the Chicago Convention of 1944 as the foundational framework for international air transport regulation, elucidating the evolution of air service agreements, multilateral agreements, and the significance of the freedoms of the air. Special focus is given to the impact of deregulation in various regions, including the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs), the expansion of hub-and-spoke networks, and the integration of airline alliances. The EU’s progressive liberalisation, culminating in a comprehensive single aviation market, is discussed alongside the challenges and opportunities presented by the African market’s liberalisation, particularly through the Yamoussoukro Decision. The chapter concludes by assessing the ongoing global shifts towards liberalisation, the economic benefits of open skies agreements, and the broader implications of deregulation for airline competition, market access, and consumer choice.