Sustainable governance of aviation: changing tailwinds: from shareholding to stakeholders?

Buissing, T.N.

Aviation in Europe is under increasing pressure: how can the sector continue to provide connectivity, support economic and strategic interests, and remain internationally competitive, while reducing its impact on the climate and the environment? This dissertation, consisting of six peer-reviewed articles, approaches this issue from a governance perspective: who sets the course, within what frameworks, and which factors and parties influence decision-making?

The research combines legal analysis with insights from policy and practice. It examines the relationship between airlines and states, and how nationality rules determine who may control airlines and, through international agreements, access markets. While often contested, these rules and related shareholder structures also function as instruments to prevent strategic dependencies and protect economic and strategic interests.

The study further shows how sustainability objectives, through emissions and...Show more Aviation in Europe is under increasing pressure: how can the sector continue to provide connectivity, support economic and strategic interests, and remain internationally competitive, while reducing its impact on the climate and the environment? This dissertation, consisting of six peer-reviewed articles, approaches this issue from a governance perspective: who sets the course, within what frameworks, and which factors and parties influence decision-making?

The research combines legal analysis with insights from policy and practice. It examines the relationship between airlines and states, and how nationality rules determine who may control airlines and, through international agreements, access markets. While often contested, these rules and related shareholder structures also function as instruments to prevent strategic dependencies and protect economic and strategic interests.

The study further shows how sustainability objectives, through emissions and noise regulation, are reshaping governance. Examples from EU climate measures and the Dutch application of the Balanced Approach illustrate how regulation, public pressure, and litigation increasingly influence decision-making.

The dissertation concludes that aviation governance is shifting from a shareholder-oriented model to a broader stakeholder framework, with decision-making increasingly shaped in legal, political, and international arenas. The research offers insights for a more strategic and sustainable future of the sector.
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Sustainable governance of aviation: changing tailwinds: from shareholding to stakeholders?