Freedom of overflight: a study of coastal State jurisdiction in international airspace

Doctoral Thesis

This study addresses the frontier of coastal State jurisdiction and freedom of overflight through the lens of contemporary challenges in the maritime arena. From jurisdiction in airspace over maritime constructions, to air defence identification zones, and the provision of air traffic services in international airspace, it examines assertions of coastal State jurisdiction beyond that which is explicitly granted under international law. ‘Creeping jurisdiction’ as such assertions are known, is not a new phenomenon and much has been written on it over the years. This research aims to contribute to this body of work by approaching the matter exclusively from the perspective of freedom of overflight.

Freedom of overflight

International airspace

Law of the sea

Safety zone

Air defence identification zone (ADIZ)

Flight information region (FIR)

Coastal State jurisdiction

Maritime security

Creeping jurisdiction

Exclusive economic zone (EEZ)