Airlines' Freedom of the Sky

The term "Freedom of the Sky" can be misleading tonecessary before the long haul aircraft were built.
the general public, as it gives the impression thatHowever the need is much reduced now due to the
there are freedoms given for airlines to fly to theincrease in the range capability of the modern
destinations of their choice. In actual case, the termaircrafts.
was intended to restrict the airlines to a set of3. Third Freedom is the right to land in foreign
standard agreement on flying rights. The term wascountry to discharge cargo and passengers from the
coined in Chicago Convention 1944, amidst thehome country. (Home country is the country of the
concern of the majority of the signatory nations onorigin of the airline). This right is normally being
the economic power of US airlines and the fear thatnegotiated together with fourth which is right to pick
these airline will dominate the other nations.up cargo and passengers.
The term freedom of the sky or sometime called4. Fourth Freedom is the right to pickup commercial
freedom of the air, details the rights and restrictioncargo and passengers at the foreign country and
of the airlines to fly into a foreign country. It wouldtransports them back to the home country.
involve the right to overfly foreign countries, making5. Fifth Freedom is the right to fly into a foreign
technical stop for refueling or maintenance works andcountry to discharge and pick up passengers and
the commercial right to discharge or pickup cargo orcargo destined to another foreign country.
passengers.6. Sixth Freedom is almost the same as the fifth
The summary of the terms are given below:except the travel to the other foreign country is
made via the home nation
1. First freedom -The right to over fly a foreignThere are the other two freedoms, the seventh and
country. The first freedom is almost automatic as iteight freedoms, which were formulated at a later
was agreed by all signatories to grant the parties todates and are not commonly used by the airlines.
the agreement the right to over fly. HoweverThe above freedoms or airlines rights are normally an
advance request has to be made and fee can beitem of discussion in the country's trade negotiation
charged on the flying aircraft.with another country. It is not a subject of
2. Second freedom involves the right to land in thediscussions between airlines although the airlines are
foreign country for non-commercial reasons such asnormally consulted in the discussions.
for fuelling and maintenance and repairs. This was