This course provides participants with a detailed understanding of aviation law, regulation, and governance, covering the full spectrum of legal issues affecting air transport operations, safety, liability, environment, and international compliance. The course examines both international frameworks (ICAO, IATA, EU, FAA) and national civil aviation laws, emphasizing the balance between economic growth, passenger rights, safety obligations, and sustainable aviation. Participants will explore case law, regulatory developments, and practical compliance frameworks, equipping them to effectively manage the complex legal environment governing airlines, airports, and aviation service providers.
Secure enrollment • Professional certificate included
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Understand the foundations and structure of international and national aviation law.
Apply air safety and operational regulations in line with ICAO standards.
Analyze the legal framework for air carrier liability, insurance, and passenger protection.
Manage aircraft registration, certification, and leasing legal requirements.
Address competition, environmental, and security issues in air transport.
Navigate dispute resolution mechanisms and enforcement under aviation treaties.
Course Content
Module 1: Foundations of International Aviation Law and Regulation Key Study Areas: Historical development and structure of aviation law The Chicago Convention and ICAO framework Role of international organizations (ICAO, IATA, EASA, FAA) National vs. international aviation regulatory systems Case Studies: The Chicago Convention (1944) and its long-term impact Comparison between EU and U.S. aviation regulatory regimes Activities: Mapping exercise: analyzing the international aviation law ecosystem Group discussion on the harmonization of aviation standards
Module 2: Air Carrier Certification, Licensing & Operations Regulation Key Study Areas: Air operator certification and economic licensing Route rights and traffic freedoms Bilateral and multilateral air service agreements (ASAs) Legal requirements for flight operations and crew licensing Case Studies: EU–U.S. Open Skies Agreement Air operator certification disputes in developing states Activities: Draft a model air service agreement Simulated regulatory audit for airline licensing compliance
Module 3: Aircraft Registration, Ownership & Leasing Law Key Study Areas: Aircraft registration and nationality principles Ownership, financing, and leasing structures (wet/dry lease) Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol Legal aspects of aircraft repossession and financing Case Studies: Aircraft repossession under the Cape Town Convention Major aircraft leasing dispute: lessor vs. airline during insolvency Activities: Draft a simplified aircraft lease agreement Analyze a case on aircraft lien and title transfer
Module 4: Aviation Safety and Airworthiness Regulation Key Study Areas: ICAO Annexes on safety and airworthiness State safety programs (SSPs) and safety management systems (SMS) Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) compliance Enforcement of airworthiness directives Case Studies: Boeing 737 MAX grounding and regulatory implications EU air safety lists and oversight mechanisms Activities: Develop an airworthiness compliance checklist Group discussion: managing safety investigations
Module 5: Air Carrier Liability, Insurance & Passenger Rights Key Study Areas: Montreal Convention and Warsaw Convention frameworks Passenger and cargo liability Aviation insurance requirements (hull, war risk, third-party) Consumer protection and passenger compensation regimes Case Studies: Airline liability under the Montreal Convention (e.g., MH370) EU Regulation 261/2004 on flight delays and compensation Activities: Draft a passenger claim response under international law Analyze a passenger liability case study
Module 6: Competition Law, Antitrust & Economic Regulation Key Study Areas: Liberalization and deregulation of air transport markets Competition law and airline alliances Mergers, joint ventures, and code-sharing agreements Slot allocation and airport competition Case Studies: EU vs. major airline alliance antitrust decisions U.S. airline merger competition reviews Activities: Simulate an antitrust assessment for a proposed airline merger Draft a compliance framework for competition law
Module 7: Aviation Security, Cybersecurity & Data Protection Key Study Areas: ICAO Annex 17 and national aviation security frameworks Screening, access control, and threat response Cybersecurity in aviation systems (air traffic, passenger data) Data privacy and GDPR compliance for airlines Case Studies: Cyber breach incidents in major airlines Security lapses and regulatory responses post-9/11 Activities: Design an aviation cybersecurity compliance plan Conduct a tabletop exercise for a security incident
Module 8: Environmental and Sustainable Aviation Law Key Study Areas: ICAO’s CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) Emission regulations and environmental standards Noise pollution and community rights Legal frameworks for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green airports Case Studies: EU ETS vs. CORSIA: regulatory conflicts and cooperation Sustainable aviation policies in Europe and Asia Activities: Draft a sustainability compliance policy for an airline Policy workshop: transitioning to net-zero aviation
Module 9: Air Accident Investigation & Liability Key Study Areas: Legal framework for accident investigation (ICAO Annex 13) Rights and obligations of states and carriers Liability and compensation mechanisms Role of insurance and international cooperation Case Studies: Air France 447 and MH17 investigations National accident investigation frameworks Activities: Conduct a simulated accident investigation briefing Draft a post-incident legal response memorandum
Module 10: Dispute Resolution, Arbitration & Emerging Issues in Aviation Law Key Study Areas: Aviation dispute resolution mechanisms (ICAO Council, arbitration, courts) Contract disputes, regulatory enforcement, and liability claims Emerging issues: drones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and space law convergence Future of aviation regulation: eVTOLs, AI, and autonomous flight systems Case Studies: Arbitration of aircraft lease disputes under the New York Convention Drone regulation frameworks in the EU and U.S. Activities: Mock arbitration on an aviation contract dispute Group project: developing a national drone regulation framework
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for aviation lawyers, regulatory officers, airline executives, compliance managers, airport administrators, policymakers, in-house counsel, insurance and finance professionals, and civil aviation authority officials. It also benefits aerospace industry consultants, leasing companies, and international trade professionals involved in aviation contracts, safety compliance, or regulatory affairs.
