Attitudes of U.S. international airlines towards the U.S. international air transport policy as reflected by the various bilateral agreements, and the possible implications

The research traces the historical background of events leading up to the policy; describes the shift in policy from a closed skies philosophy to an open skies attitude; and examines the multilateral and bilateral efforts which characterized U.S. air transport relations during the Bermuda I era. The analysis then moves to the shift in policy following the Bermuda II event to the campaign for an open skies regime through the use of a liberal approach in bilateralism.

Also treated in detail is the Bermuda Formula, which lasted a little over thirty years and governed almost all U.S. bilateral relations until its denouncement by the United Kingdom. This discussion is followed by an analysis of certain important legal, constitutional, and regulatory aspects of the bilaterals and brief analyses of some of the significant bilaterals. Also presented is a profile of the U.S. international airlines and a discussion of their value to the nation in periods of both peace and war and their roles in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF).

The author relied heavily upon air journals for much of the current information and few, but new, data were gleaned from personal correspondence, personal interviews, and attendance at recent (1979 and 1980) public meetings and air transport conferences.

The major findings of the research verify that there is a significant air of dissatisfaction among the airlines toward the U.S. International Air Transport Policy for numerous reasons. The last chapter provides a sample of current reactions of many U.S. and foreign airlines and government officials to the new policy, showing, in general, an unfavorable attitude towards both domestic deregulation and the open skies regime.

Basing his assumptions upon data collected through research, personal interviews, and first-hand observation, the author has provided sets of recommendations concerning air policy to the U.S. government, the airline industry, and foreign concerns, all directed towards the proposal for changing attitudes to achieve their desired individual and national interests.