Aviation Law Prof Blog

Canada Moving Closer to Cape Town Ratification?

It appears that the Canadian government is considering ratification of the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its related Aircraft Protocol (often referred to collectively as the Cape Town Convention). Canada would be the 53rd contracting party to the convention.

Portugal Selects Tap Bidder

Portugal has chosen Brazil's Synergy Aerospace, the majority owner of AviancaTaca, to purchase flag carrier Tap Air Portugal. Both Tap and AviancaTaca belong to the Star Alliance, simplifying that part of the deal. However, it is as of yet unclear how the parties intend to work around EU's 49% foreign ownership cap. This is yet one more example of the emerging trend toward cross-border consolidation. Restrictions on foreign ownership are looking increasingly obsolete.

Gulf Carriers Brought Into Fold

A fairly sharp article in Reuters today recaps the recent developments involving the three prominent Gulf carriers and briefly discusses the significance of their incorporation into the alliance system. Last week, Qatar Airway joined the oneworld alliance, following Etihad's codeshare agreement with Air France-KLM and Emirates' codeshare with Qantas.

Turkey Bans Syrian Aircraft From Airspace

As tensions escalate between the two States, Turkey has barred all Syrian aircraft from entering Turkish airspace, one day after Syria imposed a similar ban on Turkish aircraft.