Commercial rights in international air transport and their regulatory regime on the eve of the twenty-first century: A diabolic issue

Bilateralism, as implied by the unsuccessful multilateral attempt of the Chicago Conference, is the regulatory framework of international air transport's economic side.; Yet, the question arises as to whether this system still constitutes a valid model. The scope of the present essay is then to examine the variant theoretical alternatives in their ability to liberalize such a conservative approach.; In the light of the geopolitical cleavages of the end of the century, it seems that this system will survive, in spite of its numerous shortcomings and alleged obsolescence.; Hence, it will have to be considered by any liberalizing trend, as it still is the better balanced compromise to cope with the growing interdependence of the international community.