Many of the problems and opportunities facing society today are determined by issues of mobility. Access to people, products, information and resources has emerged as a priority in the foreign policies of most states. Inevitably, considerations of national interest have played a central role in the structure and operations of the international aviation system. Meanwhile, air transport has been a catalyst for the phenomenon of 'globalization.' This first in-depth exploration of the vital relationship between aviation policy and national interest in today's global economy focuses on those areas of concern where the international community has common ground or where conflicts of interest are most likely to arise. Revealing deeply informed perspectives gained from decades of distinguished public service in many areas of aviation policy, Erwin von den Steinen reviews the rules that govern the conduct of commercial air services between nations and considers the prospects of aviation in the 21st Century. He explains how timely understanding of national interest can provide a context for global and local policy to connect, and why the international aviation system is vital for the peaceful and sustainable development of modern states and societies. With such insights and powerful, practical recommendations, von den Steinen's analysis will be of enormous value to those concerned with air transport, from technical research and design to the highest levels of government, as well as to lawyers and academics in international law and relations.