With the recent Open Skies initiative referring to Fifth and Seventh Freedom rights, we decided it was time to review…courtesy of the Cranky Flier. Six through Nine though, according to him, are mostly unofficial.
- First Freedom – Airlines from Country A may fly through Country B’s airspace without landing
- Second Freedom -Â Airlines from Country A may land in Country B for refueling, maintenance, etc as long as it doesn’t involve the loading or offloading of passengers
- Third Freedom – Airlines from Country A may bring passengers originating in Country A to Country B
- Fourth Freedom – Airlines from Country A may bring passengers originating in Country B to Country A
- Fifth Freedom – Airlines from Country A may bring passengers from Country B to Country C as long as the flight originates in Country A
- Sixth Freedom – Airlines from Country A may bring passengers between Country B and Country C via Country A.
- Seventh Freedom – Airlines from Country A may bring passengers between Country B and Country C without it being an extension of a flight from Country A.
- Eighth Freedom – Airlines from Country A may bring passengers between two points in Country B as long as the flight originates in Country A or even Country C. Also called “Consecutive Cabotage”
- Ninth Freedom – Airlines from Country A may carry passengers in Country B without restriction. Also called “Cabotage.”
European Airlines are pressuring for their Ninth Freedom rights…to operate domestic flights in the United States that are not part of international service.
