(A) COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TREATMENT EQUITY FOR SMALL ISLAND AIRSPACE : REFORM VS. EXIT Aviation policy TEEMWARI ERENA TEIMWARANE

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TREATMENT EQUITY FOR SMALL ISLAND AIRSPACE: REFORM VS. EXIT Teemwari Erena Teimwarane Aviation Policy Programm Graduate school Korea Aerospace University (Advisor: Prof Hyunjee Kim Ph.D) This thesis investigates the issue of airspace sovereignty and service delegation among small island states, focusing on the challenges of ensuring equitable treatment under international aviation arrangements. Drawing from the case of Kiribati under the Fiji Flight Information Region (FIR), the study explores how small states can make strategic decisions between reforming existing airspace delegation agreements and seeking alternative providers. While the Chicago Convention of 1944 grants each state full sovereignty over its airspace, practical limitations often compel small nations to delegate air navigation services to larger neighbors. Such arrangements, however, frequently produce asymmetric power relationships, limited transparency, and unequal revenue distribution, raising complex political, economic, and legal concerns. The research employs a qualitative comparative case study design, analyzing documented cases from the Caribbean, Africa, the Pacific, and Europe—including the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), Cape Verde and Portugal, Vanuatu, Singapore, Iceland, and Pacific Islands’ collective approaches (PASO). These cases illustrate varied strategies of reform, exit, or hybrid cooperation in managing airspace rights. Using theoretical frameworks such as Hirschman’s Exit-Voice-Loyalty model, transaction cost economics, bargaining power theory, and comparative institutional analysis, the study identifies key determinants influencing small states’ delegation choices—namely switching costs, negotiation leverage, political context, institutional capacity, and relational trust. Findings show that while full independence (exit) is rarely feasible due to financial and technical barriers, strategic reform and hybrid cooperation can enhance fairness and sovereignty if accompanied by credible exit threats, international support, and strong governance. The study concludes that equitable airspace governance for small states depends not only on technical capability but also on diplomatic skill, institutional resilience, and timely negotiation. Policy recommendations include establishing transparent revenue-sharing mechanisms, strengthening regional cooperation frameworks, and promoting capacity building for sustainable and sovereign airspace management. Keywords: Airspace sovereignty, small island states, delegation, equity, Kiribati, Fiji FIR, ICAO, reform versus exit, international aviation governance

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Chapter 1: Introduction 1
• 1.1 Background Information 1
• 1.2 Kiribati under Fiji Flight Information Region (FIR) 2
• 1.3 Research Objectives 4
• 1.4 Research Methodology 5
• Chapter 2: Literature Review and Development of Theoretical Lens 7
• 2.1 Comparative Institutional Analysis 9
• 2.2 Reforming Existing Arrangements versus Seeking Alternative Providers 11
• 2.3 Bargaining Power and Negotiation Leverage 12
• 2.4 Transaction Cost and Switching Costs 14
• 2.5 Relationships-Specific Investments and Path Dependency. 16
• 2.6 Information Asymmetries and Uncertainty 17
• 2.7 Political Economy and Domestic Politics 19
• 2.8 Strategic Timing and Sequencing 20
• 2.9 Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis 21
• 2.10 Risk Assessment and Management 23
• 2.11 Incomplete Contracts and Relational Governance 24
• 2.12 Decision Framework Synthesis 25
• 2.13 Contextual Factors Affecting Strategic Choices 29
• 2.14 Gaps and Research Needs 32
• Chapter 3: Case Studies Supporting Reform Versus Exit Decisions in Airspace Delegation 34
• 3.1 Introduction 34
• 3.2 Case Study 1: The Eastern Caribbean States and ECCAA Reform (1990s-2010s) 34
• 3.3 Case study 2: Cape Verde's Negotiation with Portugal and Exploration of Alternatives (2000s-2010s) 38
• 3.4 Case Study 3: Vanuatu’s Consideration of FIR Transition (2010s) 42
• 3.5 Case study 4: Singapore's Path to Independent Airspace Management (1960s-1990s) 47
• 3.6 Case Study 5: Iceland's Regional Cooperation and Selective Independence (1950s-2000s) 51
• 3.7 Case Study 6: Pacific Islands' Collective Bargaining Through Regional Organizations (2000s-2020s) 55
• 3.8 Comparative Analysis and Lessons Across Cases 59
• 3.9 Research Gaps and Future Case Study Needs 62
• Chapter 4: Framework Development 64
• Chapter 5: Conclusion 70
• References 74