DOES SERBIA HAVE AN AGREEMENT ON OPEN SKIES?

АРСИЋ БОГДАНОВИЋ Ирена (Air SERBIA, Београд), irenararsic@yahoo.com

In the subject paper, the author deals with the analysis of the so-called Agreement on Open Skies. It follows from the study that in everyday practice this Agreement is identified with the Agreement on the Common European Aviation Area, which according to the author’s understanding is not correct. Of particular concern is the fact that the same mistake is made in the official announcements of state bodies of the Republic of Serbia. In the explanation of this case, the author pays attention to the research of the current changes taking place in the civil aviation market in the world. At the same time, it tries to shed light on the new challenges and risks faced by national air carriers in the Western Balkan countries due to the implementation of the policy of joining the Common European Aviation Area. In a methodologically accessible way, the author considers the possibility of national air carriers to achieve certain benefits in the mentioned circumstances, and on the European aviation market. The paper emphasizes that national air carriers from the countries of the Western Balkans can get full access to this market only after completing the transition, that is, compliance with the prescribed procedures and standards of the European Union (EU). Although this phase of harmonization may be successfully completed, there is always a risk that some of the member states will not grant permission to national air carriers to use the said rights. On the other hand, air carriers from the EU have the right to “open skies“ over the Western Balkans for the positioning of their companies.

Keywords: Agreement on Open Skies, Agreement on the Common European Aviation Area, Western Balkans, EU Law, air traffic