ABSTRACT
The liberalisation of market access was a relatively uncomplicated process affecting bilateral relations between governments and airlines. It was sufficient to remove the restrictive rules and there was no need for assistance from global international organisations. Although there was no progress in terms of the liberalisation of international air transport at the multilateral level, regional arrangements proved to be more successful, particularly in the European Community. In case of regulations concerning airline competition, more efforts on the side of governments are needed. While the room for airline competition gradually broadened, the international aviation society has faced an increasing number of new problems that need to be solved to ensure not only free but also fair competition. The governments conferred authority to the IATA to establish the minimum level of airline tariffs and the maximum level of on-board services provided, the maximum distances between passenger seats, the maximum level of agency commission.
