State sovereignty is the basic underlying principle of international law. Like all branches of international law, air law has developed under this principle of sovereignty, leaving the final decision to the consents and political wills of the governments for both their internal and external affairs. In the same vein, the international system is based on the juridical equality of all nations, which are free to participate in all forms of regional and international organizations. However, due to economic and political globalization and the demand for a more efficient international cooperation as well as the market forces and technical and economical constraints, the traditional concept of sovereignty has undergone transformation. Resulting from their inherently technical, economic and international characteristics, civil aviation and air transport are the leading fields of international affairs affected by these developments. / This thesis first analyses the evolution of the principle of sovereignty in general international law and then traces the transformation of sovereignty in air law by examining the issue through the approach found in the Chicago Convention as well as the recent concepts and technologies in civil aviation from the sovereignty point of view.* / *The opinions expressed in this thesis are strictly those of the author.

There is no international agreement on the vertical limit of State sovereignty, the boundary between territorial airspace and outer space. The need for defining this boundary has been debated for over 50 years. Today, the need to settle this gap in the law is growing in importance. This thesis concludes that setting a low vertical limit on State sovereignty is the best approach because it will allow all States free access to space and enable uniform international rules to be set at a relatively low altitude. / Chapter I discusses territorial sovereignty and examines the evolution of vertical sovereignty. It then compares this to the evolution of the law governing territorial seas and concludes by examining the airspace laws of several States. Chapter II reviews the reasons demarcation is important. Chapter III discusses past proposals for demarcation and recommends setting a low vertical limit on State sovereignty.

Thesis (LL. M.)--Judge Advocate General's School, United States Army, 1975. / "April 1975." Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-115). Also issued in microfiche.

Thesis (LL. M.)--Judge Advocate General's School, U.S. Army, 1971. / "March 1971." Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-64). Also issued in microfiche.

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-169). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Genève.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1936. / Typescript. Includes abstract and vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 215-219).

Thesis (M.A.)--Acadia University, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Acadia University, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Texas, 1947. / Reprint of the 1948 ed. Bibliography: p. [119]-133.