Below are the events and news from 2024
- IASL participates in roundtable "Higher Airspace Operations: Present and Future from the Legal Point of View"
- The New Horizons Conference: Mapping the Future of Air and Space Law
- IASL students participate in Model ICAO 2024
- IASL participates in IUAI Members Conference
- IASL students visit ICAO
- Research Group on African Air and Space Law launched
- CTC Moot Court a Success
- Volume 48 of the Annals of Air and Space Law published
- IASL at International Symposium on Heritage in War and Peace
- IASL students visit Air Canada HQ
PUBLISHED: 19 November 2024
The McGill Institute of Air and Space Law was delighted to participate in an expert roundtable on "Higher Airspace Operations: Present and Future from the Legal Point of View," co-hosted with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to ICAO at the Saint James's Club of Montreal.
The roundtable served to foster dynamic exchanges on establishing harmonized international guidelines for higher airspace operations, exploring the intersection of air and space law in this emerging field. The session featured presentations from Jack Wright Nelson, Editor of the Annals of Air and Space Law, and Yuri Fattah, Program Manager at the International Civil Aviation Organization's Air Navigation Bureau, followed by insightful discussion with Professor Vincent Correia (Co-Director, McGill Institute of Air and Space Law) and Michael Gill (Director, Legal Affairs & External Relations Bureau, International Civil Aviation Organization).
The roundtable was expertly moderated by Professor Jae Woon Lee (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), a graduate of the Institute.
We were honored by the participation of Ambassador Dr. Jae Wan Lee and representatives from the Korean Mission including Mr. Sang Heon Lee, Ms. Mijoo Hyun, and Mr. Jiyeol Paek
The New Horizons Conference: Mapping the Future of Air and Space Law
PUBLISHED: 14 August 2024
The Conference on New Horizons in Air and Space Law, held earlier this month, proved to be a groundbreaking event in air and space law. Jointly organized by the National University of Singapore's Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and the Law, the EW Barker Centre for Law and Business, and McGill University's Institute of Air and Space Law, this conference addressed the legal and policy challenges arising from emerging technologies in air and space.
The conference featured an opening keynote lecture delivered by the Deputy Attorney-General of Singapore, Lionel Yee Woon Chin SC. The Deputy Attorney-General explored the key challenges and developments across both air and space law, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of this field. The Deputy Attorney-General’s expertise and knowledge set the tone and provided the key legal context for the engaging discussions that followed throughout the conference.
Further keynotes were delivered throughout the conference by Professors Andrea Harrington and Vincent Correia, Co-Directors of the Institute; Jonathan Hung, Executive Director of Singapore Office of Space Technology & Industry; Professor Alan Tan of NUS; and Professor Gérardine Goh Escolar, Deputy Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and Adjunct Professor at NUS. A series of thematic panels and interactive sessions covered topics such as urban air mobility, commercial space activities, air and space sustainability, and the future of the Chicago Convention. Two of which were moderated by Professor Donal Hanley, Associate Director of the Institute and Stefan-Michael Wedenig, Executive Director of the Institute. Experts from around the world presented papers and research findings, offering key insights across these diverse areas.
The conference brought together government officials, academics, practicing lawyers, in-house counsel, regulators, law students, and members of the international air and space communities. Building on previous successful collaborations between NUS and McGill, the event facilitated discussions on the entire spectrum of legal and policy issues associated with the new air and space ages. As such, this conference represented a vital step in addressing the complex legal landscape of tomorrow's skies and orbits, aiming to ensure safe, equitable, and sustainable use of both airspace and outer space. Participants left with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities lying ahead in the fields of air and space law. Selected papers from the conference will be published in Volume 49 of the Annals of Air and Space Law.
We extend our deep gratitude to the Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and the Law, led by Professors David Tan and Daniel Seng; the EW Barker Centre for Law and Business, led by Professor Hans Tijo; and to NUS staff Elicia Chia and Ifraim Sofian Faylasuf, for their invaluable support in co-hosting the conference. Further, we would like to thank our knowledgeable keynote speakers, panellists, and engaging moderators who kindly shared their expertise and lent their valuable time to the conference.
The Institute also highly appreciated and warmly welcome the attendance of Captain Hugues Canuel (Conseillé de la défense canadienne à Singapour et Brunei Darussalam), and the attendance of multiple Institute graduates, such as Kinga Kolasa-Sokolowska, Prof. Vito Di Mei, Mi Zhou and Michael Gunawan Sigit Santoso.
Our thanks are extended to King & Wood Mallesons and Rajah & Tann Asia for their sponsorship, with a special thanks to Urszula McCormack of King & Wood Mallesons and Paul Ng of Rajah & Tann Asia for their active engagement over both days of the conference. Their support played a crucial role in ensuring the conference's success and furthering the international dialogue on air and space law issues.
The Conference Organizing Committee comprised Professor David Tan, of NUS, Professor Donal Hanley, and Jack Wright Nelson, Editor of the Annals of Air and Space Law and Adjunct Research Fellow at NUS. “The Conference proved to be an outstanding platform for exploring the many challenges and changes in these rapidly evolving fields," Prof. Donal Hanley said. "With its diverse participant base, engaging discussions, and the exceptional keynote presentations, the event has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the aviation and space law communities.”
Photo credits: NUS Law/Vincent Nghai and NUS Law/Nathaniel Yeo
IASL students participate in Model ICAO 2024
PUBLISHED: 4 June 2024
Last week a group of our students were hosted by the ICAO for the Model ICAO Simulation #SimOACI.
Thank you for the beautiful hospitality and exciting debate that have given us a taste of the work and dedication promoted for 80 years at the International Civil Aviation Organization.
A special thank you to the students Emily Villard, Chao-Ting Cheng, Julia Colletti, Lydia Johansson and Anna Tormen for their participation and their will to take up a challenge.
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La semaine dernière, plusieurs de nos étudiants ont été accueillis par l’OACI pour la Simulation de l’OACI #SimOACI.
Nous sommes reconnaissants aux organisateurs et à leurs partenaires d’avoir mis sur pied un débat passionné et de nous avoir accordé une généreuse hospitalité. L’expérience nous a offert un aperçu du type de travail mené et du dévouement promu au sein de l’OACI depuis 80 ans.
Un remerciement particulier aux étudiants Emily Villard, Chao-Ting Cheng, Julia Colletti, Lydia Johansson et Anna Tormen pour leur participation ainsi que leur volonté de relever le défi.
IASL participates in IUAI Members Conference
PUBLISHED: 3 June 2024
Last week, IASL Executive Director Stefan-Michael Wedenig participated in the AI panel at the 2024 Members Conference of the INTERNATIONAL UNION OF AEROSPACE INSURERS.
The conference provided a unique view on the various challenges the aerospace industry is facing. The IASL was happy to send students Nishith Mishra, Anna Tormen, Lydia Johansson, Chao-Ting Cheng and Mi Zhou to participate in the conference. It was also good to see IASL graduate Prof. George Leloudas.
PUBLISHED: 4 April 2024
On April 3rd, 2024, the Institute’s students had the opportunity to visit ICAO Headquarters. ICAO Secretary General, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar (IASL LL.M., 1999) and Mr. Michael Gill, the Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau, spent the morning giving the students a lecture about the main bodies of ICAO, the work of the ICAO Legal Committee, and how ICAO helps their Member States address climate change.
"We are very proud of our close relationship with ICAO dating back to the 1950s when they requested McGill University to set us up." Co-Director, Professor Donal Hanley said. "We are very grateful to Secretary General Juan-Carlos Salazar and Director Michael Gill for taking time out of their busy schedule for making this visit possible and spending so much time with our students", he added.
Research Group on African Air and Space Law launched
PUBLISHED: 8 March 2024
This is only the first step. The McGill Institute of Air and Space Law is thrilled to announce the take-off of the Research Group focusing on air and space law in Africa! Thank you to the Co-Director, Prof. Vincent Correia and our Executive Director Stefan-Michael Wedenig for their opening remarks.
Special thank you to our own Arnold Agaba, who will be leading the project as chair, and the wonderful address by Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, former President of ICAO's council.
One last thank you to everyone who participated, in person and online.
Stay tuned for our next events!
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Il s’agit uniquement du premier pas. L'Institut de droit aérien et spatial de McGill est ravi d'annoncer le décollage du Groupe de recherche axé sur le droit aérien et spatial en Afrique ! Merci au codirecteur Vincent Correia et à notre directeur exécutif Stefan-Michael Wedenig pour leur discours d'ouverture.
Un merci spécial à Arnold Agaba, qui dirigera le projet et à la merveilleuse allocution d'Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, ancien Président du conseil de l'OACI.
Un dernier merci à tous ceux qui ont participé, en personne et en ligne.
Restez à l'écoute pour nos prochains événements !
PUBLISHED: 7 March 2024
The McGill Institute of Air and Space Law is happy to annouce the success of the Cape Town Convention Moot Court 2024. We are grateful to the Honourable Louis Charette and the Honourable Martin Castonguay, Justices of the Quebec Superior Court, the Honourable Marie Deschamps, Justice (retired) of the Supreme Court of Canada, Jeffrey Wool of the Cape Town Convention Academic Project and Aviation Working Group, Jason MacIntyre and Auriol Marasco of Blakes and McGill University – Faculty of Law Dean Robert Leckey, Ad. E. for their support.
We also wish to thank Silverio Espinola, Marla Weinstein and Andrew Opolot of International Civil Aviation Organization, Jean-Francois Bisson-Ross and Anna Maria Masciotra of Air Canada and Deschamps Michel of McCarthy Tétrault for their presence.
Thank you to our Co-director Vincent Correia and the Executive Director Stefan-Michael Wedenig and Associate Director Donal Hanley for the work and attention dedicated to the project.
Our congratulations to our students who challenged themselves with the task Manuela Vásquez Méndez, Julia Colletti, Chao-Ting Cheng, Mi Zhou, Lydia Johansson, Anna Tormen, Utkarsh Yadav and Laura Camila Ruiz Pedroza.
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L'Institut de droit aérien et spatial de McGill est heureux d'annoncer le succès du Cape Town Convention Moot Court 2024. Nous remercions l'honorable Louis Charette et l'honorable Martin Castonguay, juges de la Cour supérieure du Québec, l'honorable Marie Deschamps, Juge (à la retraite) de la Cour suprême du Canada, Jeffrey Wool du Cape Town Convention Academic Project and Aviation Working Group, Jason MacIntyre et Auriol Marasco de Blakes et de l'Université McGill – doyen de la faculté de droit Robert Leckey, Ad. E. pour leur soutien.
Nous souhaitons également remercier Silverio Espinola, Marla Weinstein et Andrew Opolot de l'Organisation de l'aviation civile internationale, Jean-François Bisson-Ross et Anna Maria Masciotra d'Air Canada et Deschamps Michel de McCarthy Tétrault pour leur présence.
Merci à notre codirecteur Vincent Correia, au directeur exécutif Stefan-Michael Wedenig et au directeur associé Donal Hanley pour le travail et l'attention dédiée au projet.
Nos félicitations à nos étudiants qui se sont mis au défi Manuela Vasquez Mendes, Julia Colletti, Chao-Ting Cheng, Mi Zhao, Lydia Johansson, Anna Tormen, Utkarsh Yadav et Laura Camila Ruiz Pedroza.
Volume 48 of the Annals of Air and Space Law published
PUBLISHED: 14 February 2024
The Institute of Air and Space Law is pleased to announce the publication of Volume 48 of the Annals of Air and Space Law (2023).
Volume 48 is dedicated to the legacy of Emeritus Professor Armand de Mestral, C.M., and includes a broad range of contributions that reflect the diverse and evolving nature of air and space law. This volume’s Air Law section includes critical analyses of ICAO's role in fostering climate action, the intricacies of Air Service Agreements, the right of innocent passage, the Montreal Convention, Hong Kong’s air passenger protection regime, and the Cape Town Convention. The Space Law section includes articles addressing the European Union’s legal framework for space activities, challenges posed by satellite mega-constellations, prospects for Canadian launch legislation, and auctions for orbit and spectrum apportionment. Overall, Volume 48 continues the Annals’ proud tradition of advancing the air and space law discourse through scholarly excellence. We are grateful to all contributors, the Annals’ Editorial Board, and all those who submitted their work for consideration the 2023 submission cycle.
Volume 48 is available now, via William S. Hein & Co., Inc. & HeinOnline, and will also be available as a printed hardcover together with Volume 47, in the coming months. Submissions for Volume 49 will open on 1 April 2024
IASL at International Symposium on Heritage in War and Peace
PUBLISHED: 30 January 2024
The McGill Institute of Air and Space Law was happy to participate in the third edition of the International Symposium on Heritage in War and Peace which was held under the theme “Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage through Past, Present and Future” from 18 January 2024 to 19 January 2024. IASL Co-Director Prof. Andrea Harrington's presentation centred around the theme of "what regard is due for cultural heritage in outer space?".
Congratulations to Mirosław Michał Sadowski, Gianluigi Mastandrea Bonaviri and their team for the prefect organization and IASL alumnus Ermanno Napolitano for curating two panels during the conference.
IASL students visit Air Canada HQ
PUBLISHED: 24 January 2024
On 18 January 2024, this year's IASL cohort had the unique opportunity to explore the Air Canada headquarters during an insightful career field trip. Hosted with warm hospitality and guidance from Air Canada employees, the students were treated to an exclusive tour of various facilities, including the crew training facilities, the dangerous goods department, and call centre operations.
The visit also provided the opportunity for students to attend lectures delivered by professionals - many IASL graduates - from Air Canada's legal and regulatory affairs department. The students further had the opportunity to take part in a simulated emergency exercise in Air Canada's flight crew training simulator. A visit to the Dangerous Goods Department rounded out this interesting day.
This visit provided a great opportunity for students to delve into the complex issues of the competitive airline industry, and allowed a look behind the veil of a global airlines. The success of this field trip was made possible by the dedicated efforts of IASL alumna and Adjunct Professor Martine de Serres, along with her colleague Rotem Bettoun, who worked diligently to organize the event.
The students were accompanied by IASL Co-Director Professor Vincent Correia and IASL Executive Director Stefan-Michael Wedenig. The McGill Institute of Air and Space Law takes pride in its enduring partnership with Air Canada and extends its heartfelt gratitude for the airline's warm hospitality.