Page:Convention on International Civil Aviation - 1944.djvu/2

 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION

PREAMBLE

WHEREAS the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, yet its abuse can become a threat to the general security; and

WHEREAS it is desirable to avoid friction and to promote that cooperation between nations and peoples upon which the peace of the world depends;

THEREFORE, the undersigned governments having agreed on certain principles and arrangements in order that international civil avia- tion may be developed in a safe and order1y manner and that interna- tional air transport services may be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically;

Have accordingly concluded thls Conventlon to that end.

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION

The contracting States recognize that every State has complete and excluslve soverelgnty over the air-space above its territory.

For the purposes of this Conventlon the territory of a State shall be deemed to be the land areas and