Open Skies Research Articles

Examining the audiovisual therapy effects on hospital groups of varying linear canopy landscapes and those with hydrodynamic forces.

Recent research has highlighted the beneficial effects of urban green spaces on physical and mental health. This study focused on the hospital population and innovatively subdivided the population into four groups: doctors, caregivers, patients and nurses. A total of 96 volunteers participated in this virtual reality experiment to assess the restoration of a linear canopy landscape and a landscape with different levels of hydrodynamics through interactive audiovisual immersion. We utilized pre-research method, brainwave monitoring technique, psychological scales, observation and interviews in this experiment. The research identified five key findings. First, both linear canopy landscapes and those with low to medium hydrodynamic forces significantly enhance physiological and psychological restoration for all groups, with the most substantial physiological benefits observed in doctors and patients, and the greatest psychological relief noted in caregivers. Second, landscapes with medium hydrodynamic forces yield higher restorative effects than those with low forces in hospital settings. Third, green landscapes with medium and low-density canopies prove more conducive to patient recovery compared to those with high-density canopies. Fourth, the inclusion of bird songs does not markedly affect physiological restoration across the hospital groups. Finally, landscapes that incorporate elements of water dynamics, open skies, and lightly foliated canopies draw significant interest from all groups involved. This study advocates for the integration of natural blue and green elements into hospital environments as complementary therapeutic interventions, aiming to alleviate stress and promote health recovery among hospital communities.

Transparency in Arms Control: The Collapse and Future of the Open Skies Treaty

After Ukraine, the need for robust mechanisms to rebuild trust and ensure transparency among states would become more pressing than ever. Renowned for its transparency and trust-building capabilities, the Open Skies Treaty (OST) could serve as a cornerstone for post-conflict security arrangements. This article examines the potential for revisiting the Open Skies framework to adapt to innovative surveillance technologies, assist with verification of arms control agreements, and enhance diplomatic efforts to foster a collaborative deterrence between former enemies and include agreeable neighboring states. Utilizing a qualitative methodology involving the analysis of public statements, policy documents, and related scholarship, the study underscores the OST's critical role in establishing a transparent military environment. This recognized framework can foster trust among former adversaries, supporting broader goals of international peace and stability.

Development of European aviation integration: Ukraine on the path to the European Common Aviation Area

The development of the EU air transport market is based on the use of a complex structure of institutional regulation and various types of multilateral agreements: "European Common Aviation Area", "Open Skies", "Horizontal" as well as "Common Aviation Area" and "Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement". The article is aimed at disclosing the essence and systematization of key features of integration processes in the field of air transport of the European Union, as well as in its relations with neighbouring countries, including Ukraine, which has intensified its actions on the way to the European Common Aviation Area. Based on using the systematic approach as well as methods of comparative law, logical and historical, the identification of the essence of the multilateral agreements and the systematization of their provisions made it possible to identify the patterns of development of European aviation integration and to highlight three clusters of international agreements which the EU uses to implement its external aviation policy.The assessment of the current state of implementation of the relevant EU Directives and Regulations into the legislation of Ukraine in detail for each specialized component showed directions for further development for integration into the European common aviation area.

Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN Airline Industry

The development of aviation market in Southeast Asia after the Covid-19 pandemic is promising. More aircraft are delivered to the Asia-Pacific region, including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States. The introduction of ASEAN Open Skies (also known as ASEAN Single Aviation Market) a decade earlier together with ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 goals for an integrated and cohesive regional economy highlight the importance of a seamless air connectivity. Liberalisation of the airline industry in ASEAN Member States is crucial to restart the airline industry pre-pandemic and to grasp the so-called Asian century momentum. However, ASEAN Member States are reluctant towards liberalisation efforts, maintaining protectionism on both freedoms of the air (traffic rights) as well as foreign direct investment (ownership and control). Existing legal framework at regional level, namely ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA), only received lukewarm attention from ASEAN Member States. This article discusses the urgency to recall the commitment of a gradual liberalisation based on AFAS and ATISA among the ASEAN Member States, the implementation of which will lead to the establishment of a regional community carrier which benefits ASEAN citizens.

Assessing the Attractivity and Accessibility of the Romanian Airports

Assessing the attractivity and accessibility of the Romanian airports. The research examines the changing dynamics of Romanian airports within the framework of European air transport deregulation and the subsequent “open skies” policy. A basic accessibility assessment method was applied, which involved weighting destinations according to their relative significance. The results highlight the dominance of certain airports and the limited competition for global hubs. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for detailed airport analysis to develop an attractiveness model specific to Eastern-Central Europe, incorporating economic, geographic, demographic, political, and infrastructure factors. Keywords: accessibility, weighting, ranking, competition, airport.

Negotiating international aviation: Analyzing the contribution of politics to the United States' open skies agreements through democratic peace theory

Operation of the civilian global aviation industry is a complex process that relies on intergovernmental collaboration while balancing issues of sovereignty. As such, the factors that drive the development of international air operations are more complicated than simply economics: international regimes must consider a variety of concerns when establishing diplomatic relationships. Bilateral and multilateral international Air Service Agreements (ASAs) have become more liberalized to reduce the extent of government interaction for establishing and maintaining international commercial operations with and between ASA partners, allowing a greater influence of basic market forces over government required mandates and limitations for airline operations. Utilizing Democratic Peace Theory (DPT) as a theoretical basis for driving Open Skies Agreement (OSA) development practices, a logistic regression was used to determine the likelihood of the US reaching an OSA with a partner State based on the democracy strength of the partner State, the ability to access the US through diplomatic international governmental organization (IGO) participation, and the frequency of aviation operations with the US. This study found that the United States was very likely to hold OSAs with more democratic governments compared to less democratic governments. In addition, mutual participation in IGOs moderated the relationship as less democratic governments sharing membership in fewer IGOs with the United States were more likely to sign an OSA than non-democratic governments sharing membership in many IGOs. Finally, total operations between the United States and its international aviation partners were also found to have moderating effects on the likelihood of an OSA. Implications of these effects are discussed.

METHODS OF PROCESSING ANALOG PARAMETERS OF AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INFORMATION

Modern systems of aircraft objective control make it possible to accumulate a whole mass of information obtained during a certain cycle of operation, which makes it possible to increase the flight safety. It is important to determine the main control parameters and methods of processing the data obtained. The article discusses the main analog parameters for objective flight control and modern methods of their processing. The information technology of statistical data processing is considered, which involves determining the necessary nomenclature of objective information, determining the frequency of data collection and the accuracy of measurement channels, the technology of hardware acquisition, exchange and storage of data, performing statistical data processing and forecasting the state of the control object. It is noted that the accuracy of the measured parameters is always subjective and corresponds to the established tolerances. Parameters always change their values over time under the influence of various factors, creating a general picture of "white noise". Isolation of useful signals ("state signs") from general "noise" requires the recognition of some standard for groups of researched objects (subjects). The number of processed "signs" is determined by the principle of sufficiency, with the desire for "minimalism". In order to fulfill the requirements of ICAO and integration into a unified flight safety control system, with the agreement on common airspace with the EU (Open Skies Program), it is necessary to create (improve) a modern flight control system based on new physical and digital principles of flight data processing using high-speed transmission technologies.

To the risk management methodology of unmanned aircraft systems

Operators of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), performing aeronautical work in accordance with the certification requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations, are obliged to have a Flight Safety Management System (FSMS), the critical element of which is risk management. The utilization of the risk assessment methods and the development of corrective actions, used in manned aviation, is problematic due to the UAS operational characteristics. The article presents the FSMS methodology for UAS of category B (special category) based on the developments of JARUS group, established with EASA, to address the unmanned aviation operation issues. The proposed methodology integrates the SORA method provisions, developed by JARUS, and comprised into seven documents, into the unified logically related system with consideration to the specific traits of the Russian Federation Aviation legislation and the terminology adopted in the Russian Federation civil aviation. The key problem of assessing the expected effectiveness of risk management actions in the JARUS methodological guidelines does not have a complete solution.The article proposes to solve the problem using professional evaluation by means of the hierarchy analysis method of the fuzzy set theory. This allows us to reasonably build the hierarchy of actions according to their impact on risk mitigation and to classify them into three categories. Such a classification is imperative to evaluate the applicability of actions depending on the amount of total risk. Although the UAS operation of category B is supposed to be performed in the segregated airspace, the methodology takes into consideration not only the risks of collision with objects on the ground but also mid-air collision risks with manned aircraft, since it is usually impractical to create the “ideal” segregated airspace. The proposed methodology can be utilized in the long view when developing risk management practices of UAS operation of category C in open skies.

РЕТРОСПЕКТИВА ТА СТРАТЕГІЧНІ ЗАСАДИ ІНСТИТУЦІОНАЛЬНОГО РОЗВИТКУ АЕРОПОРТІВ І АЕРОДРОМІВ УКРАЇНИ

The dynamics of passenger traffic on domestic and international flights for the two stages are formalised. It is reported that the main reason for seeing another phase, a sharp increase in 2020, is the COVID-19- related exchange. It is noted that during 2011–2021, passenger traffic through Ukrainian airports increased against the background of opposite trends in rate for domestic flights and an increase for international flights. The dynamics of passenger traffic for domestic and international flights for two stages is formalised. It is identified that the market of airport services in terms of the share of passenger turnover is overly concentrated, and the airports with the highest ratings are identified. The advantages of developing airports and airfields in Ukraine are identified. The factors hindering the development of Ukrainian airports and airfields are systematised. Proposals for the adoption of current factors for the development of airports and airfields are as follows: to fulfil its obligations under the Open Skies Agreement; to certify airports in accordance with EU standards; to continue liberalising the air transport market and creating a competitive environment by increasing the number of air carriers; to intensify business activity by cooperating with airlines to maintain existing and open new international routes; to develop infrastructure for transfer passengers; to improve the quality of airport services and expand the range of support services; improve the security of airports and aviation activities. The following measures are proposed to implement the state programme for the development of airports: preparation of investment projects/business plans aimed at building new airports and reconstructing existing ones, increasing the capacity of existing ones; improving the quality of airport services; increasing passenger and cargo turnover; maintaining airports in a condition that ensures flight safety; innovative renewal of fixed assets.

Art Feature: “Loss and Regrowth”

During a recent job as a field technician, I spent time in the burn area of the Beachie Creek Fire, which struck the Lyons-Detroit corridor in August 2020. The fire burned nearly 200,000 acres of old-growth forest, and countless people lost their homes. In the two years that have passed since the incident, however, the scarred hills have gradually grown brighter as foxgloves and other early-successional flora take hold. While wildfires can have devastating effects on human populations—effects that I do not at all intend to diminish—wildfires are a natural part of Oregon’s landscape, and they open up ecological niches for a plethora of wonderful meadow species that cannot tolerate the shady conditions created by old-growth canopies. This photo juxtaposes the human cost of wildfires—embodied by the abandoned, rusted trailer—with the ecological rejuvenation of open skies and ash-rich soil.

The Impact of Open Sky on Airlines Theoretical Study: Case of Tunisia

At the level of this article to understand the potential economic effects of an “open skies” agreement, in particular on competition, prices and airline profits. We will try in a first part to determine if consumers will benefit from price reductions following the entry into force of an Open Sky agreement, we will also try to see the effects of “open sky” agreements on competition.

Treaty on Open Skies in a regional context: The implications of the US and the Russia’s decisions to withdraw from the treaty for the security of South Caucasus and Georgia

The Treaty on Open Skies has been an important legal instrument contributing to global arms control in recent years. Signed in 1992, the Treaty on Open Skies allows the monitoring and collection of data on military potential through observation flights over one another’s territories, thus becoming a confidence-building and transparency measure among its signatories. The recent decisions by the US and Russia to withdraw from this agreement impact the security situation globally and regionally. They reflect a gradual erosion of the architecture of arms control that has been introduced since the end of the Cold War. Georgia remains the only state in the South Caucasus to be a signatory to this Treaty. It is also the only state in the region to remain (since 2008) in a conflict with Russia. While striving to join the EU and NATO, it lies on the land of strategic importance to Russia and other regional and global players. The main objective of this publication is to discuss the importance of the Treaty on Open Skies, considering its specificity from a regional perspective, and to assess the implications of the withdrawals of the US and Russia from the Treaty on security in Georgia and in the South Caucasus. Using a descriptive approach and legal-political analysis, the author discusses the creation, functioning, and causes of the breakdown of this legal-institutional system, while looking at its importance for global arms control and security related consequences it may trigger for the region. A closer look at the South Caucasus highlights the author’s belief in the Treaty’s critical role in the region and the importance of preserving its existence.

Efficiency in Thailand’s air transport industry in the era of air liberalisation policies

Air liberalisation and open skies policies have benefited countries by generating economic growth. However, as the sky has become overcrowded, the increasing competition has pressured airlines to control costs in order to maintain profitability. Efficient use of resources is an important topic for the airlines. Thailand’s air transport industry is unique compared with that in its neighbouring countries. The number of low cost airlines operating in the country has made Thailand a major aviation hub in the region. The developments and changes in Thailand’s air transport industry have raised questions as to whether these have brought any significant changes to airline productivity and efficiency. This study adopted the data envelopment analysis model to examine the efficiency of five airlines in Thailand for the nine years from 2011 to 2019. The airlines, of various fleet sizes, pattern of ownership and business models were examined. The study investigated both the technical and scale efficiency of the airlines and concluded that budget airlines are not necessarily more efficient than full service carriers, private airlines are more efficient than state-owned airlines, and small to medium size airlines are more efficient than large airlines.

USING THE OPEN SKIES MULTI SENSOR SYSTEM FOR MILITARY OBSERVATION MISSIONS AND CIVILIAN APPLICATIONS

Abstract. In this paper we aim to show the workflow and the technical systems used for Open Skies missions as well as the use of this Multi Sensor System for civil applications. While missions conducted and analyzed under the force of Open Skies Treaty is a technical and administrative one, the very complex sensor system enables various civil missions for a wide range of tasks. Especially the combination with LiDAR gives new opportunities. We describe typical Open Skies work steps besides civil tasks that need as calibration, accuracy estimations and adjusted workflows especially with the LiDAR data and different camera setups.

Imperial Screens: The Illusion of Cosmopolitanism in the Netflix Documentary Genre

Abstract This essay investigates the worldly parameters of the Netflix documentary genre. While Netflix on the surface communicates a rhetoric of a truly global vision for media production and circulation, data analysis shows that the documentary genre is still predominantly U.S. American. I use Raymond Williams’ 1975 caution that “genuinely open skies” would be almost impossible to materialize to interpret the implications of this in today’s global landscape. A close analysis of the 2019 Academy Award-winning documentary American Factory, a text that takes the cultural clash between the U.S. and China in the wake of globalization as its subject, reveals the geopolitical stakes of such documentary mediation and imbalance. Combining quantitative and qualitative readings ultimately offers a window onto the tensions between cultural imperialism and globalization in both form and content within the Netflix documentary genre.

Treaty on Open Skies in a regional context: The implications of the US and the Russia’s decisions to withdraw from the treaty for the security of South Caucasus and Georgia

The Treaty on Open Skies has been an important legal instrument contributing to global arms control in recent years. Signed in 1992, the Treaty on Open Skies allows the monitoring and collection of data on military potential through observation flights over one another’s territories, thus becoming a confidence-building and transparency measure among its signatories. The recent decisions by the US and Russia to withdraw from this agreement impact the security situation globally and regionally. They reflect a gradual erosion of the architecture of arms control that has been introduced since the end of the Cold War. Georgia remains the only state in the South Caucasus to be a signatory to this Treaty. It is also the only state in the region to remain (since 2008) in a conflict with Russia. While striving to join the EU and NATO, it lies on the land of strategic importance to Russia and other regional and global players. The main objective of this publication is to discuss the importance of the Treaty on Open Skies, considering its specificity from a regional perspective, and to assess the implications of the withdrawals of the US and Russia from the Treaty on security in Georgia and in the South Caucasus. Using a descriptive approach and legal-political analysis, the author discusses the creation, functioning, and causes of the breakdown of this legal-institutional system, while looking at its importance for global arms control and security related consequences it may trigger for the region. A closer look at the South Caucasus highlights the author’s belief in the Treaty’s critical role in the region and the importance of preserving its existence.

Rethinking the China-U.S. Bilateral Air Services Agreement from China’s Perspective: Approaches to Fair Competition

Bilateral relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States (U.S.) have never attracted the world’s attention more than today. This article analyses how two countries that are totally different in societies, economic systems, cultures, and values compete in the China-U.S. bilateral air services. With the trend of the liberalization as well as privatization of international air transport, the U.S. and China show two development models that influence their aviation sectors: complete liberalization vs. Socialist Market Economy (SME). The article focuses on the competition issues embodied in the China-U.S. bilateral air services and provides approaches to fair competition between the U.S. airlines and three major Chinese airlines impacted by China’s SME and the ‘Reform and Opening-up’ policy. The article further discusses the opportunity for deeper cooperation through a China-U.S. Open Skies agreement with convergent legal, economic, and institutional regimes. China, Fair Competition, Air Services Agreement, Open Skies

COVID-19: ASEAN Aviation Policy and the Significance of Intra-regional Connectivity

Cross-border integration is a complex process, but it could bring benefits to the nations involved in motivating trade and tourism. Air transport has been playing an important role in accelerating the integration of the economies of countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The introduction of a visa-free exemption agreement in 2006 and the ratification of the semi-ASEAN open skies agreement in 2016 have stimulated intra-ASEAN travel and trade. However, since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has demolished most of the efforts when tight border controls returned and flights were suspended. The ASEAN countries were criticised for a lack of coordination over the pandemic. This article examines the ASEAN air transport policies in response to the global pandemic. The data were collected from official government documents, international databases and local media reports to identify the pattern of the air transport policy implemented by each ASEAN member. This article provides insights into the impact of intra-regional travel on the recovery and resilience of the air transport industry in the ASEAN region. JEL Classification: L91, L93, L98

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IN AVIATION: AN ANALYSIS

The role of aviation sector and its significance is highlighted in this research paper. The impact of competition on the aviation sector is examined. In India, no such specific legal framework is there that is concerned with the competition in aviation sector. However, certain rules and regulations as provided in the Aircraft Rules of 1937 and the Competition Act, 2002 that are dealing with the competition in the aviation sector are described. Certain factors that are resulting in the competition in aviation sector like globalization, increase in domestic property, deregulations and “open skies” policy, mergers and acquisitions and liberalization policy are discussed. The Convention on International Civil Aviation and its impact on aviation sector, formulation of regulations in the aviation field, International Civil Aviation Organization, relation between different nations is analysed. Some International Organizations that are associated with aviation sector are described. The objectives of these organizations are also highlighted. Analysis of Indian Civil Aviation and the case study of Air India is performed and the reasons behind the occurrence of losses in Air India are also explained.

US WITHDRAWAL FROM THE OPEN SKIES TREATY: CONSEQUENCES FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND STABILITY

The arms control regime consists of several documents, and the United States of America and the Russian Federation as the State-Parties ensured the implementation and effectiveness of them mostly. However, the growing conflict between these States due to Russia's numerous violations of international law and obligations under international agreements has also harmed arms control. The withdrawal of both states from strategically important documents, which were tools for maintaining transparency and mutual control, is a result of the decline in trust and the lack of a constructive dialogue between Washington and Moscow. The Open Skies Treaty is one of these documents. The article examines the United States' reasons for the withdrawal from the Treaty and reveals the consequences of such a decision by the administration of President Trump. It is noted that the agreement, the idea of ​​which belonged to the United States, was signed immediately after the end of the Cold War and was to help build trust and openness in the new environment. It is noted that the Treaty ensures international stability through the ability of each party to openly collect information on the armed forces, activities, and operations of another party through coordinated flights of reconnaissance aircraft over the territory of the member states. However, problems are gradually accumulating due to Russia's actions to restrict flight zones in violation of the provisions of the Open Sky Treaty, which has become especially acute since 2014. That made the United States think about the meaning of participating in an agreement where one of the parties violates its provisions. The authors outline the consequences of the U.S. decision to leave the agreement; in particular, the focus is on the reactions of the U.S. European partners and Ukraine. They also examined applications and countermeasures by Russia that has also announced its withdrawal from the agreement. Reflecting on the prospects for international security and arms control, the preconditions for the potential return of the United States and Russia to the Open Sky Treaty are outlined.