Many flights pass over different countries on the way to their destinations. But have you ever stopped to think about how this can happen peacefully, thousands of times a day, every day?
Most of us probably take for granted the complex agreements that allow planes to fly over other countries’ airspace without causing commotion.
The heart of the matter comes down to the Freedoms of the Air, established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO grants airlines certain basic freedoms which allow flights to take place across borders, and in turn airlines must pay fees (almost like rent) to the countries they fly over.
See the video below to learn about this remarkable process.